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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


SKETCH 


OF  THE  LATE 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 


FIRST  PRESIDENT  OE  WILLIAMS  COLLEGE. 


REV.  CALVIN   DURFEE. 


'■  In  the  various  relations  of  life,  Dr.  Fitch  was  a  pattern  of  kindness  and  fidelity.' 

Dr.  'Woobbridge's  Letter. 

"  I  have  always  regarded  Dr.  Fitch  as  the  real  founder  of  this  institution.-' 

Judge  Bishop's  Rem.4.rks. 


BOSTON: 
MASSACHUSETTS  SABBATH  SCHOOL   SOCIETY, 

DePOSIIOET,  13  CORNHILL. 

1865. 


(Eamfiritigc  ^rcss. 

D  A  K  I  K     AND     M  E  T  C  A  L  K. 


Fs 


5  ^^-i3 


DR.   SAMUEL     SHELDON     FITCH,    M.D., 

NEW     YORK, 

A    Nephew    of    President    Fitch, 

IS 

Respectfully   Dedicated, 

BT 

THE    AUTHOR 

WlLLIAMSTOWN.    March    25,    1865. 


^a  ^-'  yi.*~» 


EXPLANATOEY    NOTICE. 


Shortly  after  the  death  of  Presidext  Fitch,  which  occurred 
at  AVest  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  his  library  and  manuscripts  fell  into 
the  hands  of  his  son,  the  Rev.  Charles  Fitch,  then  of  Batavia, 
N.  Y.,  whose  house,  with  all  its  contents,  was  soon  after  consumed 
by  fire.  The  late  Dr.  Hyde,  of  Lee,  had  been  requested  to  pre- 
pare a  memoir  of  Dr.  Fitch,  but  soon  ascertained  that  the 
materials  left  for  such  a  work  were  so  very  scanty  that  he  felt 
unwilUng  to  make  the  attempt.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Nelson,  of  Leices- 
ter, afterwards  commenced,  but,  for  the  like  reason,  soon  relin- 
quished, the  undertaking.  But  for  the  loss  of  his  numerous  and 
exceedingly  valuable  manuscripts,  an  extended  memoir  of  his  life 
and  services  would,  unquestionably,  have  been  given  to  the  public 
years  ago. 

In  preparing  this  biographical  sketch  for  publication,  the  author 
has  availed  himself  of  whatever  materials  he  could  obtain,  and 
made  free  use  of  all  the  communications  he  has  received.  To 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel  C.  Sanders  (whose  wife  was  a  sister  of 
Dr.  Fitch)  ;  to  the  late  Rev.  Charles  Fitch ;  to  the  Rev.  Presi- 
dent Day,  and  to  the  late  Pi-ofessor  Kingsley,  of  Yale  College ;  to 
the  late  President  Davis,  of  Hamilton  College ;  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Walter  Clarke ;  to  the  late  Mrs.  Cogswell,  of  Hartford,  for  the 
loan  of  a  large  number  of  letters  from  Dr.  Fitch  to  her  hus- 
band ;  to  the  Rev.  Professor  Dewey ;  to  the  late  Dr.  Thomas 
Robbins ;  to  the  late  James  W.  Robbins,  Esq. ;  to  the  Rev.  Dr. 
John  Nelson,  and  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Woodbridge,  —  the  author 
1* 


VI  EXPLANATORY    NOTICE. 

hereby  acknowledges  himself  indebted,  and  expresses  his  grati- 
tude for  important  assistance. 

A  brief  memoir  of  President  Fitch  appeared  in  the  "  Ameri- 
can Quarterly  Register,"  in  1843.  This  volume  is  an  amplifica- 
tion of  that  article ;  and  its  enlargement  and  republication,  at  this 
time,  are  mainly  owing  to  a  suggestion  and  to  the  liberality  of 
Dr.  Samuel  Sheldon  Fitch. 

Acceptable  aid  and  encouragement  in  bringing  out  this  work 
have  likewise  been  received  from  two  of  the  author's  valued 
classmates,  —  David  Dudley  Field  and  Josiah  William  Wheeler. 

Whatever  of  distrust  or  hesitation  might  otherwise  be  felt  about 
giving  to  the  public  the  results  of  his  additional  labor  and  re- 
search is  precluded  by  the  many  testimonials  of  approbation 
received  on  the  appearance  of  the  original  article ;  of  which  none 
is  more  decisive  or  more  highly  valued  by  the  author  than  the 
following,  which  he  ventures  to  insert :  — 

Boston,  May  4,  1844. 
Mt  dear  Sir:  — 

I  have  received  and  have  perused  with  great  satisfaction  your  interest- 
ing tribute  to  President  Fitch.  Accept  my  thanks  for  your  kindness, 
in  remembering  me  on  this  occasion.  It  is  but  an  act  of  justice  from  the 
living  to  keep  legible  the  inscriptions  on  the  monuments  of  the  departed 
worthies ;  and  in  this  case  you  have  left  nothing  to  be  desired. 

Very  truly  your  obliged  friend, 

GEORGE  BANCROFT. 
Rev.  Calvin  Durfee. 


COj^^TEI^TS 


CHAPTER    I. 

BIOGRAPHY     USEFUL,  AGREEABLE  ;     IF    CORRECT,   DIFFICULT  —  DR. 
FITCH  —  HIS   EXCELLENT   ANCESTRY, 9 

CHAPTER   11. 

THE  TISIE  AND  CORRECT  PLACE  OF  DR.  FITCH's  BIRTH  HIS  PRIVATE 

JOURNAL  WHILE    IN    COLLEGE HIS    STANDING    AS    A    SCHOLAR 

PRONOUNCES  THE  VALEDICTORY, 19 

CHAPTER    HI. 

DR.     FITCH    DRAFTED    AS    A    SOLDIER  —  TEACHES    SCHOOL  —  IS    AP- 
POINTED   TUTOR    IN    YALE    COLLEGE RESIGNS    AND     ENGAGES    IN 

MERCANTILE    PURSUITS  —  IS     UNSUCCESSFUL IS    APPOINTED     A 

TUTOR  THE  SECOND  TIME — HIS  INTEREST  IN  RELIGION  —  MAKES 
A  PROFESSION  —  IS  LICENSED  TO  PREACH,  .  .  .  .34 

CHAPTER    IV. 

DR.    FITCH    ELECTED    PRECEPTOR    OF    THE    ACADEMY     AT    M'lLLIAMS- 

TOWN APPLICATION     FOR    A      COLLEGE      CHARTER DR.     FITCH 

ELECTED     PRESIDENT HIS     MARRIAGE  HIS      FAMILY DEATH 

OF  HIS  SON DR.  FITCH's  LETTER HIS  ORDINATION PROS- 
PERITY OF  THE  COLLEGE LETTER  FROM  DR.  WEST  TO  DR.  SAM- 
UEL HOPKINS CONTINUED  PROSPERITY TROUBLE    IN  COLLEGE 

HON.  C.  A.  DEWEY's  REMARKS  AT  THE    HALF-CENTURY  MEETING 

IN  1843, 39 

(vii) 


viii  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    V. 

RELIGIOUS  HISTORY  OF  THE   COLLEGE  UP  TO  1815 — EXTRACT  FROM 

THE     SERMOX    AND    CHARGE    AT    DR.    FITCH'S    ORDINATION THE 

FIRST  REVIVAL  IN  COLLEGE THE  HAYSTACK  PRAYER-MEETING 

MISSIONARY    SOCIETY    ORGANIZED SECOND    REVIVAL LETTER 

TO    DR.  HYDE THIRD    REVIVAL DR.    J.    EDWARDS'    LETTER    TO 

DR.   FITCH, 56 

CHAPTER   VI. 

DR.  FITCH    RESIGNS    THE     PRESIDENCY ACTION    OF  THE  TRUSTEES 

INSTALLED      AT    WEST     BLOOMFIELD,    N.  Y.  HIS    SUCCESSFUL 

MINISTRY  THERE  —  RESIGNS  —  HIS  DEATH  AND   FUNERAL,        .      68 


CHAPTER   VH. 

DR.  fitch's   visit  TO  EUROPE  —  THE   LOSS  OF   HIS   MANUSCRIPTS  — 

HIS     PUBLICATIONS LETTERS     FROM      PRESIDENT    DAY FROM 

JAMES  W.  ROBBINS,  ESQ. FROM    REV.  DR.  JOHN    NELSON FROM 

REV.  DR.  JOHN  WOODBRIDGE JUDGE  PAIGE'S  REMARKS  RESPECT- 
ING HIM HIS  PERSONAL  APPEARANCE BRYANT'S  RECOLLECTION 

OF    HIM HIS    CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER HIS    NATIVE    POWERS 

DR.  FITCH  AS  PRESIDENT AS  A  PREACHER A  FRIEND  OF  GEN- 
ERAL EDUCATION A  LOVER  OF  GOOD  MEN UNEXPECTED  RE- 
LIEF FROM  G.  H.  BACKUS HIS    INDUSTRY HIS  SUPPORT  UNDER 

TRIALS DR.    FITCH    AS    A    FATHER,    COMPANION,    AND    FRIEND 

HIS  MONUMENT  AT  WILLIAMSTOWN HON.  JUDGE  BISHOP's  RE- 
MARKS   AT     THE    RE-INTERMENT    OF    HIS    REMAINS DR.     FITCH'S 

BACCALAUREATE  DISCOURSE  IN  1799 — DR.  FITCH'S  MISSIONARY 
DISCOURSE  IN  1814, 90 

A    DISCOURSE 

ADDRESSED  TO  THE  CANDIDATES  FOR  THE  BACCALAUREATE  IN  WIL- 
LIAMS COLLEGE,  SEPTEMBER  1,  1799.  BY  THE  REV.  EBENEZER 
FITCH,  PRESIDENT   OF   WILLIAMS    COLLEGE,      .  .  .  .122 

A     SERMON 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  BERKSHIRE  AND 
COLUMBIA,  AT  THEIR  ANNUAL  MEETING,  IN  HUDSON,  N.  Y.,  SEP- 
TEMBER 20,  1814.  BY  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.,  PRESIDENT  OF 
WILLIAMS  COLLEGE, 143 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.D. 


CHAPTER    I. 

BIOGRAPHY    USEFUL,     AGREEABLE  J     IF    CORRECT,    DIFFICULT  —  DR. 
FITCH — HIS   EXCELLENT   ANCESTRY. 

lOGR  APHY  is  a  species  of  composition  which 
happily  unites  the  useful  with  the  agreeable. 
If  written  with  truth  and  fidelity,  it  can  hardly 
fail  to  be  useful ;  since  it  is,  as  an  ancient  said 
of  history,  "philosophy  speaking  by  example." 
It  shows  us  what  qualities  we  must  possess  to 
be  useful  and  happy.  It  discloses  the  trials  of 
human  life  ;  and  teaches  us  how  difficulties  may  be 
met,  and  dangers  averted  or  overcome.  It  likewise 
sets  before  us  the  means  by  which  the  human  char- 
acter may  reach  its  highest  attainments  and  useful- 
ness. 

Nor  is  it  easy  to  see  how  the  biography  of  the  wise 
and  good  can  fail  to  be  agreeable.  It  introduces  us 
to  the  acquaintance  of  individuals,  whose  names  have 
awakened  our  curiosity,  and  perhaps  our  admiration. 
It  shows  those  finer  and  better  traits  of  character 
which  we  could  not  otherwise  narrowly  inspect.     It 

(9) 


10  REV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,    D.  D. 

makes  us  the  companions  of  their  toils  and  trials, 
their  sufferings  and  joys.  It  points  us  to  that  world 
where  their  virtues  are  matured  and  their  spirits 
made  perfect. 

It  is  painful,  however,  to  think  that  some  great 
and  good  men  —  such  as  manifest  great  talents,  and 
exert  a  wide  and  salutary  influence  on  society  — 
leave  behind  them  so  few  materials  for  the  biogra- 
pher. The  traces  of  their  lives  and  characters  soon 
become  dim  and  obscure.  When  a  few  years  have 
swept  over  their  graves,  it  seems  next  to  impossible, 
from  the  few  scattered  notices  now  to  be  found,  to 
delineate  with  any  good  degree  of  accuracy  the  feat- 
ures of  their  moral  and  intellectual  character.  The 
good  Isis  is  represented  as  going  forth,  wandering 
and  weeping,  to  gather  up  the  parts  and  fragments  of 
her  murdered  and  scattered  Osiris  ;  fondly  yet  vainly 
hoping  that  she  might  recover  and  recombine  all  the 
separate  parts,  and  once  more  view  her  husband  in 
all  his  former  proportions  and  beauty.  So  we  often 
do  with  the  scattered  mementos  of  our  departed 
friends.  From  a  few  imperfect  sources  we  attempt 
to  give  a  faithful  history  of  their  lives,  and  a  fac- 
simile of  their  moral  and  intellectual  features.  Hie 
labor,  hoc  opus  est. 

Impressed  with  sentiments  like  these,  we  have  un- 
dertaken the  preparation  of  a  brief  biographical 
sketch  of  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  D.  D.,  for  twen- 
ty-two years  President  of  Williams  College.  He 
possessed  a  mind  of  a  high  order,  and  for  uniformity 


REV.  EBENEZER    FITCH,    D.  D.  11 

of  deportment,  consistency  of  character,  ardor  of 
piety,  kindness  of  feeling,  diligence  and  fidelity  in 
discharging  the  various  duties  to  which  he  was 
called,  had  but  few  superiors.  It  has  long  been  a 
source  of  regret  to  many,  that  some  memorial  of 
this  excellent  man  has  not  been  placed  in  some 
permanent  form.  A  simple,  uncolored  biography  of 
him,  even  at  this  late  day,  and  though  prepared  un- 
der great  disadvantages,  will,  we  trust,  be  acceptable 
to  our  readers,  —  especially  to  the  numerous  friends 
and  alumni  of  Williams  College.  Besides,  "  some 
information  of  this  kind  is  commonly  required  as  a 
tribute,  due  to  the  memory  of  those  who  have  dis- 
tinguished themselves  in  the  walks  of  learning  and 
religion ;  ~and  may  animate  others  who  are  devoting 
their  lives  to  similar  pursuits." 

President  Fitch  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  the 
Rev.  James  Fitch,  who  was  born  at  Bocking,  Coun- 
ty of  Essex,  England,  December  24,  1622 ;  and 
came  to  this  country  with  a  brother  by  the  name  of 
Thomas,  in  1638.  The  ancient  way  of  writing  the 
name  was  Fytche.  Thomas  settled  in  Norwalk,  Ct., 
and  from  him,  according  to  Alden,  descended  the 
Hon.  Thomas  Fitch,  who  was  for  a  number  of  years 
Governor  of  Connecticut.  The  Rev.  James  Fitch 
came  to  this  country  when  he  was  sixteen  years  old. 
He  had  already  acquired  a  correct  knowledge  of  the 
learned  languages  ;  but  spent  seven  years  in  prepar- 
ing for  the  ministry,  under  the  private  instruction  of 
the   Rev.   Messrs.   Hooker  and   Stone,  of  Hartford. 


12  REV.    EBEXEZER    FITCH,    D.  D. 

He  was  first  settled  in  Saybrook,  in  1646.  In 
October,  1648,  he  married  Abigail  Whitfield,  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Henry  Whitfield,  of  Guilford.  Their 
children  were  James,  born  Aug.,  1649;  Abigail,  Aug., 
1650;  Elizabeth,  Jan.,  1652 ;  Hannah,  Sept.,  1653; 
Samuel,  April,  1655 ;  and  Dorothy,  165H.  Mrs. 
Fitch    died   at    Saybiook,    Sept.,    1659. 

In  the  year  1660,  the  Rev.  James  Fitch  removed 
to  Norwich  with  a  large  part  of  his  congregation. 
In  October,  1664,  he  married,  for  his  second  wife, 
Priscilla  Mason,  daughter  of  Major  John  Mason, 
who  distinguished  himself  as  a  commander  of  the 
New  England  forces  against  the  Pequot  Indians. 
The  children  of  Mr.  Fitch  by  his  second  wife  were, 
Daniel,  born  at  Norwich,  Aug.,  1665;  John,*  Jan., 
1667;  Jeremiah,  Sept.,  1670;  Jabez,  April,  1672; 
Anna,  April,  1675  ;  Nathaniel,  Oct.,  1679 ;  Joseph, 
Nov.,  1681,  and  Ebenezer,  May,  1683.  These  four- 
teen, except  the  last,  lived  to  have  families  of  children, 
from  whom  a  numerous  posterity  has  descended. 

In  his  old  age,  the  Rev.  James  Fitch  removed  to 
Lebanon,  to  live  with  one  of  his  children,  and  died 
there  in  November,  1702,  in  the  80th  year  of  his 
age.f 

*  John  Fitch  settled  in  Windham,  and  from  him  descended  the  Rev. 
Eleazer  T.  Fitch,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Divinity  in  Yale  College. 

t  The  following  is  the  inscription  upon  his  monument,  said  to  have 
been  written  by  his  son,  the  Rev.  Jabez  Fitch,  of  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire: 

In  hoc  sepulchro  depositee  sunt  reliquire  Viri  vere  Reverendi  Domini 
Jacobi  Fitch,  Natus  fuit  apud  Booking  in  Comitatu  Essexise  in  Anglia, 
anno  Domini  1622,  Decembris  24;  qui  postquam  Unguis  et  Uteris  optime 


HEV.   EBENEZEE    FITCH,   D.  D.  IS 


The  Rev.  James  Fitch's  oldest  son,  James,  settled 
in  Canterbury,  about  1690,  and  was  among  its  orig- 
inal inhabitants.  He  built  the  first  framed  house 
and  barn  in  that  town.  He  was  one  of  the  brave 
men  who  were  engaged  in  the  famous  Philip's  war, 
in  1675-6;  and  received  a  captain's  commission  be- 
fore 1680.  He  was  chosen  major  in  1686.  He  was 
a  magistrate,  or  member  of  the  council  of  the  colony, 
as  early  as  1683 ;  and  continued  to  be  reelected  till 
1708  or  9.  "  He  was  the  first  donor  to  Yale  College, 
who  was  not  of  the  board  of  trustees.  In  October, 
1701,  he  gave  the  college  637  acres  of  land  in  the 
town  of  Killingly,  and  all  the  glass  and  nails,  which 
should  be  necessary  to  build  the  college  edifice. 
This  benefaction  had  great  influence  in  procuring 
the  charter,  and  in  encouraging  the  friends  of  the 
college  in  promoting  its  interests,  and  on  this  ac- 
count is  deserving  particular  consideration."  This 
James  Fitch,  Esq., —  he  is  likewise  called  Major 
Fitch,  in  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  —  mar- 
ried Elizabeth ,  Jan.,  1676.     Their  children  were 

James,  born  (and  died  within  a  week  after)  Jan.  1, 

institutus  fuisset,  in  Nov-Angliam  venit,  ajtatis  16,  et  deinde  vitam  degit. 
Harfordiffi  per  septennium  sub  institutione  virorum  celeberrimorum  Dom- 
ini Hooker  et  Domini  Stone.  Postea  munere  pastorali  functus  est  apud- 
Say  brook  per  annos  14.  Illinc,  cum  ecclesiiE  majori  parte  Norvicum 
migravit  et  ibi  cceteros  vitje  annos  transegit  in  opere  evangelico.  In  senec- 
tute  vero  prte  corporis  iufirmitate  necessario  cessabat  ab  opere  publico ; 
tandemque  recessit  liberis  apud  Lebanon,  ubi,  semi-anno  fere  exacto,. 
obdormivit  in  Jesu,  anno  1702,  Novembris  18,  sBtatis  suae  80;  vir  ingenii 
acumine,  pondere  judicii,  prudentia,  charitate  sancta,  laboribus,  et  om- 
nimoda  vitae  sanctitate,  peritia  quoque  et  vi  concionandi,  nulli  secundus. 
2 


14  REV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D. 

1677 ;  James,  June,  1679 ;  Jedidiah,  April,  1681 ; 
Samuel,  July,  1683 ;  and  Elizabeth,  in  1684.  Mrs. 
Fitch  died  in  October,  1684.  Major  James  Fitch 
married,  May,  1686,  Alice  Adams,  for  his  second 
wife.  Their  children  were  Abigail,  born  1687;  Eb- 
enezer,  1689;  Daniel,  1692;  John,  1695;  Bridget, 
1697;  Jerusha,  1699;  William,  1701;  and  Jabez, 
1703. 

In  1722,  Major  James  Fitch  (who  died  in  1727, 
aged  78)  gave  to  his  son  Jabez,  "  moved  thereto  by 
love  and  parental  affection,"  by  deed,  a  piece  of  land. 
This  Jabez  Fitch  married  Lydia  Gale,  in  1722,  and 
settled  on  the  land  which  his  father  gave  him.  He 
became  captain,  colonel,  justice  of  the  peace  and 
quorum,  and  was  for  many  years  a  Judge  of  Pro- 
bate. His  children  were  Jerusha,  baptized  in  1723  ; 
Alice,  afterwards  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  James 
Cogswell,  1725 ;  Perez,  1726 ;  and  then  there  is  a 
chasm  in  the  records  till  1734 ;  when  the  record  of 
baptisms  commences  again,  and  Lydia  is  baptized  ; 
Lucy,  in  1736 ;  Asahel,  in  1738;  and  Abigail,  in 
1741.  Mrs.  Fitch  died  in  1753.  Col.  Jabez  Fitch 
married  for  his  second  wife,  Elizabeth  Darbe,  in 
1754.  Some  years  afterwards,  he  buried  his  second 
wife.  He  was  married  a  third  time  when  about  78 
years  old.  He  died  in  1784,  aged  81.  We  have  un- 
questionable authority  for  stating  that  Colonel  Fitch 
was  a  man  of  superior  talents,  unblemished  charac- 
ter, devoted  piety,  and  of  almost  unbounded  influ- 
ence in  his  native  town. 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  15 

Jabez,  son  of  Colonel  Jabez  Fitch,  was  the  father 
of  President  Fitch.  He  was  born  in  the  parish  of 
Newent,  May  23,  1728  or  9  ;  it  is  uncertain  which. 
According  to  Norwich  records,  he  was  born  in  1729  ; 
but  according  to  the  record  of  his  baptism  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  he  was  born  in  1728.  He  mar- 
ried Lydia,  daughter  of  Dea.  Ebenezer  Huntington, 
of  Norwich,  Aug.  22,  1754.  Their  children  were 
Perez,  born  Sept.  5,  1755,  and  died  the  next  day  ; 
Ebenezer,  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  Sept.  26,  1756  ; 
Lydia,  Oct.  9,  1758,  and  lived  ten  months;  Lydia, 
June  14,  1760  ;  Abigail,  July  24, 1762,  and  lived  just 
nine  months ;  Jabez  Gale,  March  20,  1764 ;  Sarah, 
April  28,  1766 ;  Anna  (afterwards  the  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Sanders),  Feb.  3,  1768  ;  Chauncey,  Jan.  17, 
1771;  Samuel,  March  3,  1773;  Lucy,  March  24, 
1777  ;  and  Alice,  June  2,  1781.  The  father  of  Pres-  ") 
ident  Fitch  did  not  receive  a  college  education.  He 
was,  however,  a  physician  of  considerable  eminence. 
Medical  students  in  great  numbers  resorted  to  him 
for  instruction.  Of  his  twelve  children,  three  died 
in  infancy  ;  the  rest  lived  to  mature  age,  and  became 
heads  of  as  many  families.  His  five  daughters  all 
married  men  of  college  educalion.  Two  married 
clergymen  ;  two,  physicians ;  and  one  a  lawyer. 
One  son.  Col.  Jabez  G.  Fitch,  was  for  twelve  years 
the  United  States'  Marshal  for  the  district  of  Ver- 
mont, under  the  entire  administrations  of  Washing- 
ton and  Adams.  Another  son,  Chauncey  Fitch, 
was  a  physician,  and  afterwards  a  judge  of  a  court     i 


16  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

in  Franklin  County,  Vt. ;  and  Samuel  Fitch  was  a 
merchant  in  Burlington. 

Mrs.  Fitch,  the  mother  of  the  President,  died  at 
Vergennes,  Vt.  To  an  intimate  friend.  President 
Fitch  thus  writes  :  —  "  My  mother  left  this  evil  world, 
I  trust  for  a  better,  on  Monday,  AjDril  4,  1803.  We 
have  good  ground  to  believe  that  she  has  made  a 
happy  exchange,  —  that  she  has  gone  to  that  rest 
which  is  prepared  for  the  people  of  God.  Her 
funeral  was  attended  on  Thursday.  The  Rev.  Job 
Swift  was  expected  to  preach  ;  but  he  and  my  brother 
Sanders,  as  my  father  was  afterwards  informed, 
were  both  detained  on  account  of  sickness.  After 
waiting  some  hours,  the  large  assembly  moved  to 
the  court-house,  where  they  sung  a  funeral  anthem. 
As  there  was  no  one  present  who  was  willing  to 
offer  a  prayer  on  such  an  occasion,  under  his  heavy 
affliction  and  disappointment,  my  father  attempted 
it.  And  he  states,  '  I  trust  1  was  enabled  to  cast  my 
burden  on  the  Lord.  By  his  assistance  I  was  car- 
ried through,  and  felt  more  able  to  speak  when  I 
closed,  than  when  I  began.' "  To  see  a  man,  who 
was  himself  standing  on  the  verge  of  the  eternal 
world,  before  a  large  congregation  where  a  minister 
was  expected  to  officiate,  leading  the  devotions  of 
the  people  at  the  funeral  of  his  own  wife,  is  said  to 
have  been  a  sight  so  affecting  as  to  draw  tears  from 
the  eyes  of  all  who  were  present. 

Dr.  Fitch,  the  father  of  the  President,  died  Decem- 
ber 19,  1806,  in  Sheldon,  Vt.,  at  the  house  of  his 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  17 

son,  Dr.  Channcey  Filch,  while  on  a  visit.  He  died 
of  a  lingering  consumption.  He  was  a  man  of  em- 
inent piety,  and  remarkably  gifted  in  prayer.  He 
made  a  public  profession  of  religion  when  a  young 
man;  and  for  a  number  of  years  held  the  office  of 
Deacon  in  the  church  of  Canterbury.  "  That  relig- 
ion," writes  President  Fitch,  "  which  he  had  so  long 
professed,  afforded  him  the  greatest  consolation  to 
the  last.  The  near  approach  of  death  did  not  ap- 
pear to  terrify  or  alarm  him.  He  regarded  death  as 
a  kind  messenger  sent  by  Heaven  to  release  him 
from  a  world  of  sin  and  trouble,  and  convey  him  to 
mansions  of  eternal  rest,  there  to  meet  his  dear  de- 
parted friends,  and  spend  an  eternity  with  them  in 
contemplating  the  glory,  and  adoring  the  perfections 
of  their  God  and  Saviour."' 

President  Fitch's  mother,  her  father,  her  only 
brother  (Dea.  Simon  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  who 
was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1741),  and  all  her 
sons,  died  suddenly  ;  most  of  them  without  an  hour's 
warning. 

We  shall  now  be  excused  for  a  brief  recapitula- 
tion. President  Fitch's  father  was  Dr.  Jabez  Fitch, 
and  his  mother  was  Lydia  Huntington. 

His  grandfather  was  Col.  Jabez  Fitch,  and  his 
grandmother  was  Lydia  Gale. 

His  great-grandfather  was  Major  James  Fitch, 
and  his  great-grandmother  was  Alice  Adams. 

His  great-great-grandfather  was  the  Rev.  James 


18  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

Fitch,  and  his  great-great-grandmother  was  Abigail 
Whitfield. 

President  Fitch  could  truly  make  the  sentiment  of 
the  admired  Cowper  his  own  :  — 

"  My  boast  is  not  that  I  deduce  my  birth 

From  loins  enthroned,  and  rulers  of  the  earth ; 
But  higher  fur  my  proud  pretensions  rise,  — 
The  child  of  parents  passed  into  the  skies." 


CHAPTER    11. 


THE  TIME  AND  CORRECT  PLACE  OF  DR.  FITCH  S  BIRTH HIS  PRIVATE 

JOURNAL   WHILE     IN    COLLEGE  HIS    STANDING    AS    A  SCHOLAR 

PRONOUNCES   THE  VALEDICTORY. 


^ 


RESIDENT  FITCH  was  the  second  child 
of  his  parents,  and  was  born  *  Sept.  26, 1756. 
We  must  here  be  pardoned  for  a  brief  digres- 
sion. The  Rev.  Dr.  James  Cogswell,  who 
was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1742,  and 
who  was  for  a  number  of  years  a  minister 
in  Canterbury,  married  an  aunt  of  President 
Fitch,  whose  name  was  Alice  Fitch.  Their  son, 
Samuel  Cogswell,  was  about  the  same  age  with 
President  Fitch.  They  were  both  fitted  for  college 
by  Dr.  Cogswell,  were  classmates,  and  very  intimate 
friends.  They  were  admitted  members  of  Yale  Col- 
lege in  1773,  and  were  graduated  in  1777.  Of  this 
Samuel  Cogswell  further  mention  will  be  made  in 
another  place. 


*  It  is  stated  in  the  history  of  Berkshire  County,  and  on  his  tombstone 
at  West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  that  Dr.  Fitch  was  a  native  of  Canterbury,  Ct. 
This  is  evidently  a  mistake.  That  he  was  brought  up  in  Canterbury, 
there  can  be  no  doubt.  But  his  birth  unquestionably  occurred  iu  Nor- 
wich. 

(19) 


20  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  college  life,  President  Fitch 
commenced  keeping  a  journal,  which  he  continued 
with  a  good  degree  of  regularity,  until  the  close  of 
his  senior  year.  For  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  he 
recorded  the  leading  events  of  every  day.  It  is  much 
to  be  regretted,  however,  that  during  the  last  three 
months  of  this  time  it  is  ivept  in  characters  which  we 
have  been  utterly  unable  to  decipher.  Our  extracts 
from  this  journal,  though  brief,  will  be  more  copious 
and  extended  than  they  would  be,  were  it  not  for 
the  circumstance  that  scarcely  any  of  his  manuscripts 
are  now  in  existence.  His  journal  commences 
thus: — 

"  May  16,  1  774.  As  I  have  but  one  life  to  live,  and  that  ex- 
tremely shoi't  and  uncertain,  so  it  becomes  me  to  spend  it  in  a 
diligent  preparation  for  a  future  state.  And  as  a  careful  observ- 
ance and  recollection  of  God's  providential  dealings  with  me  may, 
by  the  divine  blessing,  promote  my  spiritual  interest  and  welfare, 
by  being  committed  to  writing,  so  I  have  resolved,  now  in  my 
youth,  to  draw  up  a  brief  account  of  my  past  life,  taken  j^artly 
from  my  old  papers,  but  chiefl}'  from  memory.  And  oh  that,  by 
the  free  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  I  may  not  be  permitted  to 
end  this  journal  (provided  I  should  keep  it  for  some  time,  as  is 
my  present  intention)  without  some  more  perfect  knowledge  of 
divine  things,  and  a  more  sure  hope  of  future  happiness,  than  I 
now  possess." 

"  I  was  born  at  Norwich,  Sept.  26,  1 756,  on  Sabbath  afternoon  ; 
Sicut  parentes  aiunt,  so  my  parents  have  told  me.  In  my  infancy 
I  was  very  weakly,  —  very  subject  to  convulsion  fits.  I  have  often 
heard  my  parents  say  that  they  had  but  slender  hopes  of  my 
living  to  grow  up  to  years  of  manhood,  for  several  years  after  I 
was  born.     I  continued  weakly  for  some  years,  though,  by  degrees, 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  21 

I  outgrew  the  natural  weakness ;  and  my  feeble  constitution  grew 
firmer  and  healthier.  I  remember  nothing  remarkable  either  re- 
specting the  awakening  of  my  conscience,  or  the  dealings  of  Prov- 
idence with  me,  until  I  was  ten  or  eleven  years  of  age.  About 
that  time  I  was  wonderfully  preserved  from  immediate  death  by 
the  sudden  interposition  of  divine  Providence.  I  was  one  day  at 
the  river  where  some  young  men  were  at  work,  and,  while  they 
were  busily  engaged,  I  took  a  notion  to  cross  the  river.  It  was 
not  deep.  I  had  frequently  observed  others  as  they  crossed  it. 
Having  stripped  myself,  I  had  gone  unobserved  by  them  to  the 
further  side  of  the  river,  where  there  was  a  narrow  place,  more 
deep  and  rapid  than  the  rest,  which  immediately  carried  me  down 
into  deep  water,  though  the  stream  still  continued  so  swift  as  to 
prevent  my  sinking.  In  this  critical  juncture.  Providence  so  or- 
dered it  that  one  of  the  persons  at  work  looked  up  and  saw  me. 
He  immediately  cried  out,  when  one  of  them  sprang  after  me, 
caught  me  without  much  diiBculty,  and  brought  me  to  the  shore. 
I  was  not  so  far  gone  but  that  I  knew  and  saw  all  that  transpired  ; 
though  when  this  young  man  came,  I  was  just  sinking,  and  must 
have  drowned  inevitably,  unseen  and  unobserved  by  any,  had  not 
divine  Providence  interposed  for  my  preservation  and  deliver- 
ance. I  remember  to  have  been  much  terrified  and  frightened. 
But,  after  I  got  out  of  the  water,  I  was  more  solicitous  to  conceal  it 
from  my  parents  (which  I  did  for  a  year)  than  to  prepare  for 
that  death  which  I  had  so  narrowly  escaped." 

The  spring  following,  1766  or  7,  he  was  exposed 
to  a  similar  danger  in  crossing  a  brook.  The  jour- 
nal then  proceeds : — 

"  I  recollect  nothing  remarkable  from  this  time  until  the  spring 
of  1 768.  Though  I  remember  that  during  tlie  interim  I  had  more 
thoughts  of  God  and  eternity  than  formerly ;  and  was  sometimes 
much  affected  at  prayers,  and  when  reading  religious  books.  Dur- 
ing the  spring  of  this  year,  my  father  moved  near  to  the  meeting- 
house.    Soon  after  this,  I  was  taken  dangerouslv  sick  ;  and  mv 


v^ 


22  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

sickness  continued  for  near  a  month,  and  bad  well-nigh  carried  me 
out  of  the  world.  But  God,  of  his  abundant  goodness,  was 
pleased  to  spare  my  life  and  restore  me  to  health  again.  During 
this  sickness  and  near  approach  to  death,  I  had  more  thoughts 
of  eternal  things  than  I  ever  remember  to  have  had  before ; 
though  I  was  much  of  the  time  inclined  to  drowsiness.  I  re- 
member to  have  had  such  serious  thoughts  about  death  and 
eternity  as  to  be  at  times  thrown  into  a  flood  of  tears.  In  this 
sickness  I  had  a  large  swelling  in  my  side,  which  threatened  my 
life.  However,  that  went  away  of  itself,  and  by  degrees  I  began 
to  recover  my  health,  though  I  remained  weak  for  a  long  time. 
As  my  sickness  abated,  my  concern  about  religion  began  to  wear 
off.  In  the  fall  of  this  year,  my  grandfather  *  died.  This  event 
made  a  deep  impression  on  my  mind.  After  his  death,  I  was 
brought  under  greater  concern  for  my  soul  than  ever  before. 
This  anxiety  for  my  soul  was  difierent  from  any  that  I  had 
befory  experienced,  both  as  to  its  degree  and  consequences  or 
attendants."  But  in  what  the  difference  consisted  does  not  appear 
from  his  journal. 

"  June  26.  I  awoke  this  morning  with  but  little  sense  of  divine 
things.  Soon  afterwards  attended  prayers  in  the  chapel.  Next 
I  retired  for  secret  devotions.  This  forenoon  I  heard  the  presi- 
dent preach  from  Deut.  vi.  4,  —  Hear,  0  Israel ;  the  Lord  our  God 
ii  one  Lord.  Subject,  The  unity  of  the  Godhead.  Near  the  close 
of  the  discourse,  the  president  spoke  of  that  hidden  idolatry  of  the 
heart,  which  is  so  displeasing  to  God.  My  conscience  accused  me 
of  great  guilt  in  this  particular ;  for  I  knew  myself  to  be  often,  yea 
daily,  guilty  of  this  high-handed  sin.  p.  ai.  the  president  preached 
from  Rom.  vi.  21,  —  What  fruit  had  ye  then  in  those  things  lohereof 
ye  are  now  ashamed?  for  the  end  of  those  things  is  death.  After 
meeting,  I  betook  myself  to  my  room,  where  I  had  a  good  oppor- 
tunity for  reading,  meditation,  and  prayer.  But  oh,  how-  poorly 
was  my  heart  prepared  for  such  exei:cises ! " 

"  Sabbath,  July  10.  My  first  thoughts  this  morning  were  on 
the  importance  of  spending  this  day  for  God.     I  had  some  sense 

*  Probably  his  grandfather  Hunthigtou. 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  23 

of  my  responsibilities  and  obligations  to  be  prepared  for  a  future 
state.  After  prayers  in  chapel,  I  engaged  in  the  duties  of  the 
closet  with  some  solemnity  and  interest.  Heard  Rev.  Mr.  Perkins, 
of  Hartford,  preach  in  Mr.  Edwards'  meeting-house  both  parts  of 
the  day :  in  the  morning  from  that  pathetic  exclamation  of 
Thomas,  recorded  in  John  xx.  28,  —  My  Lord,  and  my  God;  in 
the  afternoon  the  text  was  Acts  xxiv.  16,' —  And  herein  do  I  exer- 
cise myself,  to  have  always  a  conscience  void  of  offence  toward  God, 
and  toivard  men.  He  was  admirably  pathetic  and  copious  in  man- 
ner and  expression,  elegant  in  style,  and  sublime  in  sentiment. 
He  showed  what  was  recjuisite  in  order  to  have  such  a  conscience. 
First,  a  knowledge  of  our  duty,  and  a  faithful  performance  of  it. 
Second,  he  offered  persuasive  motives  to  induce  us  to  have  a  con- 
science thus  void  of  offence.  Third,  he  improved  the  subject  in 
offering  a  variety  of  excellent  remarks.  One  observation  was, 
that  there  are  in  mortals  four  springs  of  action,  to  wit :  apjjetite, 
passion,  reason,  and  conscience.  He  that  acts  from  appetite,  acts 
like  a  brute ;  he  that  acts  from  passion,  acts  like  a  child ;  he  that 
acts  from  reason,  acts  like  a  man ;  and  he  that  acts  from  con- 
science, acts  like  a  Christian." 

"  Tuesday,  Sept.  13.  This  day  have  been  busily  employed  in 
making  preparation  for  Commencement.  This  evening  I  had  an 
agreeable  interview  with  my  father,  who  came  from  home  to 
attend  Commencement,  and  to  visit  a  brother  of  his  at  Stamford, 
who  is  in  a  low  and  feeble  state  of  health." 

"  Wednesday,  14.  Attended  Commencement  exercises,  which 
were  performed  to  the  honor  of  college,  and  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  audience." 

"  Thursdaj',  15.  In  company  with  my  father  and  cousin,  Sam- 
uel Cogswell,  went  to  Stamford ;  found  my  uncle  weak  in  body 
and  dejected  in  mind,  having  but  little  hope  of  continuing  long  in 
this  evil  world."  Here  young  Fitch  spent  a  week,  enjoying  the 
company  and  conversation  of  his  friends  in  a  high  degi-ee.  In  the 
course  of  the  next  week,  "  returned  to  my  father's  house  in  Can- 
terbury, and  was  not  a  little  i-ejoiced  to  find  my  friends  all  alive 


24  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

and  in  good  health,  having  been  absent  from  them  about  four 
months." 

"January  11,  1775.  Close  of  vacation.  This  is  the  first  win- 
ter vacation  in  this  college.  By  vote  of  the  corporation  it  contin- 
ued three  weeks.     I  remained  at  college  the  whole  time." 

"  Friday,  April  21.  To-day  tidings  of  the  battle  of  Lexington, 
which  is  the  first  engagement  with  the  British  troops,  arrived  at 
New  Haven.  This  filled  the  country  with  alarm,  and  rendered  it 
impossible  for  us  to  pursue  our  studies  to  any  profit."  The  next 
week  he  returned  home.  He  then  visited  Providence,  R.  I. ;  then 
went  to  view  the  camp  in  Roxbury  and  Cambridge,  Ms.,  and  re- 
turned the  first  of  June  to  New  Haven,  and  resumed  his  college 
studies." 

"June  13.  I  have  neglected  to  keep  a  regular  journal  for  a 
short  time  past.  It  is  now  very  apparent  to  me  that  when  I  left 
New  Haven  last  fall,  and  went  to  Stamford,  falling  into  company, 
I  lost  in  some  measure  that  melancholy  with  which  I  had  been  for 
a  long  time  troubled.  For  some  months  I  did  not  attend  with 
regularity  to  my  private  devotions.  During  the  winter  past,  I 
have  enjoyed  better  health  than  common,  and  pursued  my  studies 
with  a  good  degree  of  alacrity  and  success." 

"July  16.  Attended  public  worship  in  the  chapel.  In  my 
private  devotions  I  formed  some  resolutions  to  live  a  better  life 
than  I  have  done.  As  I  have  always  had  the  ministry  in  view,  I 
think  it  high  time  for  me  to  attend  more  seriously  and  diligently 
to  the  things  of  everlasting  importance.  Considering  the  infinite 
importance  of  being  in  a  state  of  reconciliation  and  favor  with 
God,  and  in  an  habitual  readiness  for  death ;  considering,  also,  the 
importance  of  pursuing  my  studies  with  diligence,  so  that  I  may 
be  prepared  to  be  useful  to  my  fellow-men, —  I  have  determined, 
by  divine  assistance,  to  pursue  the  following  course  :  — 

"As  the  care  of  my  soul  is  of  the  first  importance,  and  yet  the 
most  likely  to  be  neglected  by  me,  I  will,  by  the  assistance  of  di- 
vine grace,  for  the  future  be  more  attentive  to  my  spiritual  welfare. 
And,  1st.  I  will  have  stated  seasons  for  prayer,  reading  the  Scrip- 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  25 

tures  and  practical  authors,  for  meditating  on  what  I  read,  and  for 
self-examination.  2d.  I  will  endeavor  to  maintain  a  sober,  steady, 
and  regular  course  of  conduct.  3d.  In  my  intercourse  with 
friends,  I  will  make  subjects  of  divinity  themes  of  conversation,  in 
all  cases  when  it  can  be  done  to  mutual  edification.  4th.  I  will 
endeavor  to  read  a  portion  of  Scripture  every  morning  and 
evening.  5th.  I  will  aim  so  to  behave  toward  my  friends,  as  to 
merit  their  regard  and  esteem ;  and  will  strive  to  banish  all  envi- 
ous and  jealous  thoughts  toward  them  and  toward  all  mankind. 

"  Respecting  my  studies,  I  resolve  upon  the  following  plan, 
which  I  shall  alter,  if  I  find  upon  trial  it  will  be  for  my  interest:  — 
And  1st.  I  will  rise  at  four  in  the  morning,  and  will  make  it  my 
first  business  to  fix  my  thoughts  upon  the  duties,  trials,  and  tempta- 
tions of  the  day ;  and  will  arm  my  mind  with  proper  resolutions 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  day  with  diligence  and  alacrity,  and 
guard  as  far  as  I  can  against  temptation  to  sin,  and  a  waste  of 
time.  2d.  I  will  immediately  read  some  portion  of  Scripture.  3d. 
I  will  then  begin  the  business  of  the  day,  and  will  endeavor  to 
have  finished  my  college  studies  for  the  day  (having  attended  to 
them  the  evening  previous)  by  noon.  4th.  The  afternoon  shall 
be  devoted  to  exercise,  general  reading,  and  whatever  of  necessary 
business  may  demand  my  attention.  5th.  At  the  end  of  every 
month  I  will  make  out  a  plan  of  the  studies  which  I  propose  to 
pursue  the  succeeding  month.  I  will  then  divide  these  studies 
into  separate  portions  for  each  week ;  and  these  studies  shall  be 
the  chief  employment  of  my  afternoons." 

The  careful  reader  will  see  that  the  above  plan  of 
study  bears  some  resemblance  to  that  adopted  by 
Dr.  Doddridge,  as  exhibited  in  his  life,  which  young 
Fitch  speaks  of  having  read  about  this  time. 

"  Thursday,  July  20.     This  day  has  been  observed  throughout 
these  colonies  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer.     Of  the  propriety  of 
3 


26  REV.   EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

observing  such  a  day,  there  can  be  no  doubt,  when  it  is  remem- 
bered that  we  are  now  engaged  in  a  war  with  England.  War 
was  recently  proclaimed  by  Congress.  Our  army  has  been  for 
^  ^  several  months  before  Boston.  The  result  of  this  contest,  God 
only  knows.  It  may  end  in  the  ruin  of  this  whole  country.  But 
Heaven  grant  that  it  may  terminate  in  the  security  and  firm  estab- 
lishment of  civil  and  religious  liberty." 

"  Sabbath,  July  23.  Attended  public  worship  in  the  chapel. 
Attended  to  private  duties  both  morning  and  evening.  In  the 
latter  exercise  my  heart  was  affected  with  a  sense  of  my  sinful- 
ness. I  saw  clearly  my  inability  to  save  myself,  and  how  abso- 
lutely necessary  the  merits  of  Chi-ist  are  to  our  salvation.  As  I 
have  the  ministry  in  view,  and  am  wholly  unqualified  for  such  a 
sacred  work,  I  feel  that  I  ought  to  leave  the  pursuit  of  trifles,  and 
live  more  to  the  glory  of  God.  My  college  course  is  now  half 
spent,  and  but  little  done.  By  divine  assistance,  I  will  double 
my  diligence.  The  plan  of  study  which  I  prescribed  for  myself 
succeeds  much  better  than  I  anticipated.  This  encourages  me  to 
pursue  it  with  perseverance." 

"  Sabbath  eve,  July  30.  During  the  past  week,  I  have  prose- 
cuted my  studies  with  diligence,  and  I  trust  with  some  profit. 
The  plan  of  studies  which  I  had  determined  on,  I  have  executed, 
so  as  to  gain  some  time  for  other  business." 

"Aug.  6.  I  have  not  pursued  the  course  of  study  the  week  past 
which  I  had  prescribed  for  myself  To  improve  our  abilities  in 
writing,  our  tutor  has  offered  a  book  to  the  one  who  will  hand  in 
the  best  composition." 

"  Aug.  13.  The  plan  of  studies,  which  I  had  proposed  for  my- 
self for  this  week,  1  did  not  accomphsh.  I  had  writing  on  hand, 
which  employed  all  the  hours  which  were  not  devoted  to  classical 
studies.  What  I  wrote  was  a  ti-ial  of  genius.  I  ventured  to  enter 
the  list  with  a  number  of  my  class,  and  write  for  a  valuable  book 
offered  by  our  tutor  for  the  best  composition.  I  had  the  good 
fortune  to  have  the  book  assigned  to  me." 

"  Tuesday,  Sept.  26.     To-day  I  am  nineteen  years  old.    I  feel 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  27 

that  I  am  laid  under  great  obligations  to  devote  myself  wholly  to 
the  service  of  Him  who  made  me,  and  has  preserved  me  so  long  a 
time ;  who  has  favored  me  with  so  many  undeserved  mercies,  and 
such  distinguished  religious  privileges.  Time  is  ever  on  the  wing. 
It  passes  away  with  an  amazing  rapidity.  Therefore,  whatsoever 
I  do,  must  be  done  with  diligence  and  perseverance  ;  for  death  will 
soon  come  and  close  my  probation." 

"  July  24,  1 7  76.  Commencement-day.  It  was  a  private  one. 
C.  Goodrich  delivered  the  Cliosophic  oration,  —  an  excellent  one, 
and  handsomely  delivered.  Strong  and  Lyman,  a  forensic  dispute  sj 
on  the  question,  '  Whether  all  religions  ought  to  be  tolerated.' 
The  subject  was  well  and  ably  discussed.  Porter,  Howe,  and 
Mitchel,  spoke  a  dialogue,  and  Russell  pronounced  the  Valedictory 
oration  :  all  well  performed.  But,  to  crown  all,  Mr.  Dwight  deliv-  , 
ered  an  excellent  oration  on  the  pi'esent  state  and  future  growth 
and  importance  of  this  country.*  It  was  written  and  delivered  in 
a  masterly  manner.  My  collegiate  life  is  fast  draAviug  to  a  close. 
One  year  more,  and  I  shall  have  done.  The  time  is  too  short ;  I 
wish  it  were  longer." 

During  the  first  part  of  the  next  month,  he  was 
for  a  few  days  dangerously  sick.  On  his  recovery 
he  writes:  "God  has  been  very  kind  and  merciful 
to  me.  I  deserve  to  die  and  perish  forever;  but  he 
has  been  pleased  hitherto  to  spare  my  life.  Oh  that 
I  might  improve  his  goodness  to  my  salvation  I  " 

"  Aug.  24.     Had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my  dear  friend,  Samuel      , 
Cogswell.     He  brought  me  the  painful   news  that   college   had 
broken  up,  on  account  of  the  prevalence  of  the  camp  distemper." 

"Sept.  11.  This  day  aty  father  parted  with  us,  to  join  our 
army  at  New  York.     The  parting  was  a  painful  one,  as  it  may  be 

*  It  is  erroneously  stated  in  the  life  of  Dr.  Dwight,  page  12,  that  this 
oration  was  delivered  in  1775.     It  was  delivered  in  1776. 


28  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

the  last.  But  ^liis  country  calls,  and  lie  must  go.  May  God  go 
■with  him,  preserve  and  return  him  in  safety." 

"  Sept.  19.  This  was  Fast  Day  in  our  State,  on  account  of 
public  calamities." 

"  Sept.  26.  Dies  meus  natalis.  Oh,  how  swift,  how  fleeting  is 
time!  One  more  year  of  my  life  is  gone, —  gone  forever.  Oh, 
what  a  dream  is  human  life !  How  does  it  become  me  to  improve 
all  my  time  to  the  best  of  all  purposes, —  the  service  of  my  Maker ! 
Oh  that  another  year  might  be  allowed  me  for  repentance ;  and 
may  God  in  infinite  mercy,  before  the  close  of  this  year  on  which 
I  now  enter,  make  me  experimentally  acquainted  with  the  way  of 
salvation  through  Jesus  Christ !  Oh  that  I  might  be  firmly  and 
sincerely  devoted  to  his  service  and  glory ! " 

"  Sept.  29.  This  evening,  as  my  father  is  absent,  I  began  to 
pray  in  the  family.  Though  embarrassed  at  first,  yet  I  succeeded 
/^beyond  my  expectations.     Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ! " 

"  Oct.  IG.  Spent  the  evening  in  reading  Thomson's  Seasons. 
They  are  delicious  food  for  the  mind.  They  afford  not  only  en- 
tertainment, but  important  lessons  of  instruction.  He  wrote  in 
such  a  masterly  manner,  with  such  a  feeling  sensibility,  and  such 
a  tender  heart,  that  it  would  seem  as  though  he  must  ever  engage 
the  attention,  awaken  the  feelings,  and  draw  tears  from  the  eye 
of  the  reader.  The  gloom  of  nature  in  the  winter  is  so  exquisitely 
painted,  that  it  cast  a  deep  solemnity  over  my  mind,  and  called 
forth  the  sympathy  and  compassion  of  my  heart.  Especially  to- 
ward the  close,  when  he  touched  on  the  shortness  and  uncertainty 
of  human  life,  and  all  the  enjoyments  of  time,  my  heart  was 
deeply  and  tenderly  affected.  I  engaged  in  my  devotional  exer- 
cises, this  evening,  with  unusual  engagedness  and  concern." 

"  Oct.  20.  This  evening  my  mother  related  to  me  her  religious 
experience.  I  was  greatly  affected,  and  rejoiced  that  I  could  en- 
tertain such  a  good  hope  for  one  who  i^so  dear  to  me." 

"  Oct.  22.  This  morning  had  a  most  agreeable  interview  with 
my  father,  who  was  returning  from  the  army  where  he  has  passed 
some  months." 


^ 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  29 

"  Nov.  1 2.  Spent  the  day  in  study.  Felt  but  little  concern  for 
my  spiritual  welfare.  Spoke  extempore  in  the  evening  on  the 
injustice  of  the  slave-trade." 

"Dec.  14.  Rose  early,  and  went  to  see  Mr.  Manning;  found 
him  dead,  as  I  expected."  Immediately  after  the  death  of  this 
youth,  young  Fitch  went  to  Canterbury  to  carry  the  melancholy 
tidings  to  the  relatives  of  the  deceased.  He  then  adds  under 
date  of 

"  Dec.  15.  Between  seven  and  eight  o'clock,  I  reached  home. 
I  had  a  most  agreeable  interview  with  my  parents,  brothers,  and 
sisters.  I  came  home  very  unexpectedly  to  them  all.  I  found  the 
neighbors  assembled  at  our  house,  and  engaged  in  a  religious  con- 
ference. Two  of  our  family  had  I'ecently  been  awakened ;  and 
two  of  our  neighbors  had  been  hopefully  converted  since  I  left 
home.  Oh  that  God  would  carry  on  his  work  gloriously,  and 
cause  many  to  return  and  come  to  Zion  ! " 

"  Dec.  16.  This  day  I  designed  to  return  ;  but,  in  compliance 
with  the  urgent  solicitations  of  my  friends,  I  concluded  to  remain 
till  to-morrow.  Spent  the  day  mostly  in  conversation  with  my 
friends.  I  found  my  dear  parents  unusually  engaged  in  religion, 
and  I  resolved  to  seek  renewing  grace  with  greater  diligence.  I 
conversed  with  my  parents  about  the  state  of  my  mind,  with  great 
freedom.  I  had  some  conversation  with  my  dear  sister  and  brother 
respecting  their  salvation,  but  not  near  so  much  as  I  desired.  Oh 
that  God  would  not  leave  them,  but  translate  them  from  the  king- 
dom of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son ! " 

"  Dec.  1 7.  This  forenoon  took  an  aflfectionate  and  an  affecting 
adieu  of  my  dear  friends.  This  has  been  a  very  affecting  visit, — 
the  moi'e  so  as  it  was  altogether  unexpected.  Meditated  this  day 
on  what  I  had  seen  and  heard.  Resolved  in  the  strength  of  di- 
vine grace  to  maintain  a  closer  walk  with  God.  Had  some  hope 
that  1  should  yet  be  made  a  monument  of  redeeming  gi-ace,  and 
serve  God  in  the  work  of  the  ministry." 

"Dec.  18.  This  day  parted  with  Mr.  Manning,  who  thanked 
me  for  what  I  had  done,  with  tears  in  his  eyes.  I  have  reason  to 
3* 


V^ 


30  BEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

be  thankful  that  God  used  me  as  an  instrument  of  doing  an  act  of 
kindness  to  this  bereaved  and  deeply  afflicted  family.  Oh  that  I 
had  done  it  from  purer  motives ! " 

"Dec.  21.  Prayed  this  evening  with  some  feeling  and  tender- 
ness. Oh  that  I  might  be  truly  regenerated  and  devoted  to  God ! 
I  would  gladly  serve  him  in  the  ministry.  I  know  I  am  entirely 
unworthy  of  such  a  favor.  But  he  sometimes  chooses  the  weak 
things  of  this  world  to  accomplish  his  glorious  purjwses.  Perhaps 
he  may  thus  use  me,  which  I  pray  may  be  the  case." 

"Jan.  1,  1777.  Another  year  is  gone,  gone  forever,  without 
the  possibihty  of  being  recalled.  One  more  year  is  taken  from 
my  life ;  and  yet  I  fear  I  am  without  an  interest  in  Christ.  I  may 
never  see  another  New- Year's  day.  May  it  be  my  greatest  con- 
cern to  spend  all  my  time  to  the  best  of  all  purposes,  —  the  service 
of  God,  and  seeking  a  good  hope  in  Christ,  which  God  grant  I 
may  obtain." 

"March  12.  This  evening  the  sirs  (resident  graduates)  at- 
tended our  meeting,  and  we  debated  the  question  until  eleven 
o'clock,  whether  we  should  admit  the  ladies  to  our  anniversary 
exhibition  as  we  did  last  year.  It  was  finally  determined  in  the 
negative." 

"  March  13.  Spent  the  day  in  making  preparation  for  anniver- 
sary. The  actors  were  so  displeased  that  the  ladies  were  not  to 
be  admitted,  that  it  was  thought  best  to  call  a  special  meeting  of 
the  students  this  evening,  and,  the  question  being  again  put,  it  was 
unanimously  decided  in  the  affirmative." 

"  March  1 7.  At  one  o'clock  walked  in  procession  to  the  chapel, 
and  at  two  began  to  act  the  tragedy  before  the  largest  and  most 
splendid  audience  that  we  ever  before  had  at  anniversary.  After 
the  tragedy  was  concluded,  the  comedy,  called  the  West  Indian, 
was  acted  to  the  great  entertainment  of  the  audience,  and  was 
deservedly  applauded.  I  was  never  more  agreeably  entertained. 
Every  character  was  remarkably  well  sustained.  After  the  exhi 
bition,  the  procession  returned  as  it  came." 

"  March  22.  This  morning  the  President  (Dr.  Daggett)  made 
an  address  to  the  students,  informing  them  that  on  account  of  the 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  31 

impossibility  of  supplying  college  with  provisions,  it  would  in  a  lew      / 
days  be  dismissed ;  and  also  that  he  had  fully  made  up  his  mind  to 
resign  the  presidency  of  the  college." 

"  March  28.     Parted  with  my  friends,  and  left  New  Haven." 

Yale  College  suffered  greatly  during  part  of  the 
Revolutionary  War.  So  much  was  the  country  ex- 
hausted, that  it  was  found  difficult  at  times  to 
furnish  the  students  with  their  ordinary  food  in  New 
Haven.* 

In  the  spring  of  1777,  says  the  biographer  of  Pres- 
ident Dvvight,  "  college  was  broken  up.  The  stu- 
dents left  New  Haven,  and  pursued  their  studies, 
during  the  summer,  under  their  respective  tutors,  in 
places  less  exposed  to  the  sudden  incursions  of  the 
enemy."  The  senior  class,  of  which  young  Fitch 
was  a  member,  spent  the  summer  in  Wethersfield, 
under  the  instruction  of  Dr.  Dwight,  who  was  then 
a  tutor  in  college.  The  junior  class,  under  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Buckminster,  and  the  sophomore  class,  under 
Mr.  Baldwin,  were  in  Glastenbury.  And  the  fresh- 
man class,  under  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lewis,  was  in  Farm- 
ington.  There  was  no  public  commencement  at 
Yale  College  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  At  the  stated 
time  for  commencement,  the  senior  class  returned  to 
New  Haven  and  met  the  government  of  college, 
probably  in  the  library  room,  and  there,  after  listen- 

*  See  Prof.  Kingsley's  Sketch  of  the  History  of  Yale  College,  published 
in  the  American  Quarterly  Register  for  1835. 


32.  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

ing   to   the    usual  '•'•  i^ro   auctoritate  mihi  commissa" 
&c.,  received  their  diplomas. 

Just  as  this  work  is  going  into  the  printer's  hands, 
an  educated  lady  has  succeeded  in  deciphering  the 
hitherto  obscure  portion  of  Dr.  Fitch's  journal ;  from 
which  a  very  few  extracts  will  be  subjoined. 

"  Wethersfield,  July  20,  1777.  Heard  Mr.  Dwight  preach  two 
sermons  to-day  from  Prov.  vili.  17,  — /  love  them  that  love  me,  and 
those  who  seeh  me  early  shall  find  me.  The  sermons  were  excel- 
lent.    They  were  evidently  addressed  to  the  graduating  class." 

"  July  22.  This  has  been  quarter  day.  I  spoke  my  dialogue 
(Messrs.  Wright,  Lee,  and  Tracy,  spoke  the  other  parts),  and  the 
Valedictory  Oration,  before  a  very  large  and  splendid  audience. 
I  trust  I  did  myself  credit.  Indeed,  all  the  parts  were  performed 
to  the  entire  approbation  of  the  audience."  His  class  consisted  of 
fifty-four,  —  a  much  larger  one  than  had  ever  before  graduated  at 
Yale.  After  their  commencement  exercises  at  Wethersfield,  the 
senior  class  returned  to  New  Haven,  and  received  their  degrees." 

Wednesday,  Sept.  10,  1777,  Dr.  Fitch  writes:  "This  day  I 
commenced  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Our  degrees  were  signed  by  Mr. 
Dickinson,  and  given  to  us  in  a  private  manner ;  the  circumstances 
of  the  times  preventing  a  public  commencement.  Spent  the  day 
with  classmates  and  friends.  This  day  closed  my  academical  life. 
A  retrospect  of  the  four  years  spent  in  this  seat  of  the  Muses  raises 
in  my  mind  alternately  the  emotions  of  approval  and  regret.  The 
confusion  of  war  has  frequently  interrupted  my  studies,  yet  I  have 
the  satisfaction  to  find  that  I  have  made  some  progress  in  the  sci- 
ences, though  not  so  great  as  I  could  wish,  and  not  near  so  much 
as  I  might,  had  I  been  as  diligent  as  I  ought  to  have  been.  I 
have  ever  had  the  ministry  in  view,  and  have  flattered  myself  that 
before  my  college  life  closed,  I  should  have  the  spiritual  qualifica- 
tions requisite  to  a  minister  of  the  gospel.     But,  alas !  I  now  find 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  33 

myself  unqualified  for  that  important  employment.  My  parents 
are  desirous  of  having  me  devote  my  life  to  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, and  I  have  always  been  willing  to  do  so ;  but,  unless  I  am 
called  by  the  renewing  grace  of  God,  I  can  never  think  it  my 
duty  to  enter  the  Christian  ministry.  What  the  designs  of  Heaven 
are  in  relation  to  me  is  now  an  awful  uncertainty.  Without 
renewing  grace,  I  must  be  wretched  in  time  and  through  eternity. 
No  creature  can  be  otherwise  than  miserable,  who,  like  me,  is 
separated  from  the  great  fountain  and  perfection  of  happiness. 
May  the  time  soon  come,  when,  by  being  assimilated  to  Christ  In 
temper  and  conduct,  I  may  be  a  partaker  of  his  blessedness." 


CHAPTER    III. 


DR.     FITCH    DRAFTED    AS    A    SOLDIER  —  TEACHES    SCHOOL  —  IS    AP- 
POINTED   TUTOR    IN    TALE    COLLEGE RESIGNS    AND     ENGAGES    IN 

MERCANTILE     PURSUITS  —  IS     UNSUCCESSFUL IS    APPOINTED     A 

TUTOR    THE    SECOND  TIME HIS  INTEREST  IN  RELIGION MAKES 

A  PROFESSION IS  LICENSED  TO  PREACH. 


^  HTLE  a  member  of  college,  President  Fitch 
excelled  in  every  department  of  study ;  and 
¥inM  ^^^^  highly  esteemed  for  his  blameless  and 
■^*^^  gentlemanly  deportment.  The  life  of  a  dili- 
gent and  virtuous  student  in  college  com- 
monly passes  away  without  any  very  striking 
incident  or  interruption.  It  is  apparent  from 
his  journal  that  from  early  life  he  was  remarkably 
conscientious  and  diligent  in  the  pursuit  of  learning, 
and  in  the  cultivation  of  a  well-balanced  Christian 
character.  After  receiving  the  honors  of  his  Alma 
Mater,  he  passed  about  two  years  at  New  Haven  as 
a  resident  graduate.  During  this  period,  while  spend- 
ing a  short  time  in  Canterbury,  he  was  enrolled  and 
drafted  as  a  soldier  to  go  into  the  army.  But  he  ob- 
jected, on  the  ground  that  he  was  a  member  of  col- 
lege, and  therefore  not  liable  to  do  military  duty. 
On  the  other  hand,  it  was  contended  that  resident 

(34) 


EEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  35 

graduates  were  not  members  of  college.  Mr.  Fitch 
wrote  to  the  President  for  his  opinion  on  the  ques-  J 
tion.  President  Stiles  wrote  back  that  resident  grad- 
uates were  considered  members  of  college.  This  re- 
leased Mr.  Fitch  from  doing  military  service.  A 
copy  of  his  letter  and  President  Stiles'  answer  are 
both  preserved  among  the  records  of  Yale  College. 
Our  whole  country,  it  is  well  known,  was  at  this 
time  in  a  very  unsettled  and  agitated  state.  Mr. 
Fitch  spent  nearly  a  year  in  teaching  a  select  school 
in  Hanover,  N.  J.  In  a  letter  dated  Jan.  4,  1780,  he 
says  :  —  "  My  wages  are  about  eight  dollars  and  fifty  v 
cents  a  month,  besides  board  and  horse-keeping.  I 
am  about  five  miles  east  of  Morristown,  and  eight 
from  the  army.  Week  before  last  I  visited  the 
camp,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  many  old  and 
some  dear  friends.  I  found  the  log-house  city  on 
the  declivity  of  a  high  hill,  three  miles  south  of 
Morristown.  There  the  Connecticut  line  dwells  in  v 
tabernacles,  like  Israel  of  old.  And  there  the  troops 
of  the  other  States  lie,  some  at  a  greater  and  some 
at  a  less  distance,  among  the  hills,  in  similar  habita- 
tions." 

Mr.  Fitch  was  admitted  to  his  Master's  degree, 
and  appointed  a  tutor  in  Yale  College  in  the  fall  of  \  / 
1780.  This  office  he  resigned  in  1783.  He  then 
formed  a  mercantile  connection  with  Henry  Dag- 
gett, Esq.,  of  New  Haven ;  and,  in  pursuing  the 
business  of  the  firm,  he  went  to  London  in  June, 
1783,  and  returned  the  following  winter  with  a  large 


11 


36  REV.  EEENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

purchase  of  goods.  Mr.  Fitch  not  being  acquainted 
with  what  are  familiarly  termed  "  the  tricks  in  trade," 
nor  with  the  state  and  wants  of  the  country  at  that 
time,  made  a  most  unfortunate  purchase.  "  The 
goods  were  of  a  quality  and  price,  at  least  many  of 
them,  above  the  wants  and  habits  of  the  citizens  of 
Connecticut."  The  consequence  was  that  he  in- 
volved himself  in  pecuniary  embarrassment,  from 
which  he  did  not  extricate  himself  for  a  number  of 
years.*  In  1786,  he  was  a  second  time  elected  to 
the  office  of  instructor  in  Yale  College,  and  officiated 
as  senior  tutor  and  librarian  till  1791.  It  is  the 
unanimous  testimony  of  such  men  as  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Shepard,  of  Lenox,  and  the  Hon.  Jeremiah 
Mason,  of  Boston,  that  he  was  highly  respected  in 
that  office.  At  that  time  the  instruction  of  college 
was  given  by  the  President  and  tutors.  It  is  not, 
however,  our  intention  to  represent  Mr.  Fitch,  either 
as  a  scholar  or  instructor,  as  the  highest  among  the 
high.  His  native  talents  and  literary  acquirements, 
if  not  superior  to  the  majority  of  his  associates  in 
office,  were  unquestionably  such  as  to  secure  for 
him  a  high  degree  of  respect  and  esteem,  so  far  as 
he  was  known.  Still  he  was  more  distinguished  for 
his  moral  worth  than  for  his  intellectual  powers  and 
literary  attainments. 

*  In  a  letter  dated  April,  1797,  President  Fitch  writes:  "By  the  as- 
sistance of  my  brother  Jabez,  I  last  winter  effected  a  settlement  of  my  old 
debt  with  Mr.  Daggett.  The  debt  is  now  reduced  to  a  little  more  than 
six  hundred  dollars,  which  I  can  pay  in  a  few  years,  if  my  life  and  health 
are  continued." 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  37 

President  Fitch  was  probably  the  subject  of  re- 
newing grace  in  early  life.  Though  from  some  ex- 
pressions in  his  journal  it  would  seem  that  he  felt  at 
the  time  of  writing  it  (in  the  language  of  Edwards 
on  the  Affections)  that  "  the  Spirit  was  on  the  mind, 
and  not  in  it,"  yet  in  after  years  he  referred  the 
date  of  his  conversion  to  the  period  preceding  his 
entrance  into  college,  supposing  it  to  have  occurred 
when  he  was  about  fifteen  years  old.  While  in  the 
field,  on  a  certain  day,  meditating  on  his  moral  state, 
and  contemplating  his  latter  end,  he  saw  himself  to 
be  a  careless  transgressor  of  the  divine  law ;  his 
heart  was  overpowered  with  a  sense  of  sin,  and 
melted  into  sweet  submission  to  his  Maker,  who 
now  appeared  "  long-suflTering,  abundant  in  good- 
ness, rich  in  mercy,  and  worthy  of  all  love  and  obe- 
dience ; "  and  to  use  his  own  words,  "  he  felt  him- 
self drawn  to  Christ,  who  now  appeared  to  him 
altogether  lovely."  In  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  James 
Cogswell,  dated  Williamstown,  June,  1796,  he  says: 
"  I  remember  the  pious  counsels  which  you  gave 
me  and  Samuel  when  we  were  school-boys  together. 
I  retain  some  of  the  impressions  which  your  preach- 
ing, and  particularly  your  instructions  at  catechising 
the  children  in  Canterbury,  made  upon  my  mind. 
By  the  blessing  of  God,  I  trust  they  were  not 
thrown  away." 

Mr.  Fitch  made  a  public  profession  of  religion 
while  a  tutor  at  New  Haven,  connecting  himself 
with  the  college  church.     In  the  unpublished  diary 


38  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

of  President  Stiles  is  the  following  entry  :  "  May 
6,  1787.  Lord's  day.  1  attended  chapel  all  day. 
Dr.  Wales  preached  two  sermons  on  Luke  xiv.  22, 
—  And  yet  there  is  room.  Mr.  Tutor  Fitch  and  Mr. 
Tutor  Denison  were  publicly  admitted  into  the  col- 
lege church,  and  sat  down  to  the  Lord's  table  with 
us,  the  sacrament  being  now  administered." 

President  Fitch  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel 
the  same  month  that  he  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion.  The  following  is  from  the  record  of  a 
meeting  of  the  Association  of  New  Haven  West,  at 
the  house  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brownson,  in  Oxford, 
May  27,  1787:  "Mr.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  Tutor  in 
Yale  College,  having  read  a  sermon  before  the  as- 
sociation, and  having  given  evidence  of  his  church- 
membership,  after  examination  as  to  his  doctrinal 
knowledge,  and  experimental  acquaintance  with 
Christianity,  was  recommended  to  the  churches  as 
a  candidate  for  the  evangelical  ministry,  qualified  to 
preach  the  gospel,  wherever  Divine  Providence  may 
call  him."  The  ministers  present  were  Rev.  Messrs. 
Mark  Leavenworth,  Eliphalet  Ball,  Noah  Williston, 
David  Brownson,  Jonathan  Edwards,  Samuel  Wales, 
Alexander  Gillet,  William  Lockwood,  and  Abraham 
Fowler. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

DR.    FITCH   ELECTED   PRECEPTOR   OF    THE    ACADEMY    AT   WILLIAMS- 
TOWN APPLICATION     FOR    A      COLLEGE      CHARTER DR.     FITCH 

ELECTED    PRESIDENT HIS      BIARRIAGE HIS      FAMILY DEATH 

OF  HIS  SON DR.  FITCH'S  LETTER HIS  ORDINATION PROS- 
PERITY OF  THE  COLLEGE LETTER  FROM  DR.  WEST  TO  DR.  SAM- 
UEL HOPKINS  —  CONTINUED  PROSPERITY  —  TROUBLE  IN  COLLEGE 
—  HON.  C.  A.  DEWEY's  REMARKS  AT  THE  HALF-CENTURY  MEETING 
IN  1843. 


LITERARY  institution  having  been  com- 
menced in  Williamstown,  Mass.,  with  an  ex- 
pectation that  it  would  become  a  college, 
Mr.  Fitch  was  urgently  solicited  to  dissolve 
v;^  his  connection  with  Yale  College,  and  take 
J^'  charge  of  it.  He  was  elected  to  the  office 
of  Preceptor  of  the  academy  in  Williamstown,  Oc- 
tober 27, 1790.  It  was  not  without  much  hesitation 
and  inquiry  that  he  concluded  to  accept  of  this  ap- 
pointment. Early  the  next  year,  however,  he  re- 
turned an  answer  of  acceptance,  and  commenced 
teaching  a  public  school  there  Oct.  26, 1791,  "  It  con- 
sisted of  two  departments,  —  an  academy  or  gram- 
mar school,  and  English  free  school,  —  and  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  Fitch  immediately  became  pros- 
perous.     A   considerable    number    of    students   re- 

(39) 


v/ 


40  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

sorted  to  it  from  Massachusetts  and  the  neighboring 
States,  and  some  even  from  Canada." 

The  reputation  and  prospective  usefulness  of  the 
institution  strengthened  the  desire  of  the  trustees 
and  people  of  Williamstown  to  effect  more  perfectly 
the  object  in  view,  —  namely,  to  erect  the  school  into 
a  college.  Accordingly  a  petition,  evidently  written 
by  President  Fitch,  and  dated  at  Williamstown, 
May  22,  1792,  —  about  six  months  from  the  opening 
of  the  academy,  —  was  signed  by  William  Williams, 
Theodore  Sedgwick,  Woodbridge  Little,  John  Ba- 
con, T.  J.  Skinner,  Seth  Swift,  Daniel  Collins,  Israel 
Jones,  and  David  Noble,  and  presented  to  the  Legis- 
lature, praying  for  an  act  of  incorporation  changing 
the  school  into  a  college.  This  application  proved 
V  successful,  and  a  college  charter  was  granted  by  the 
Legislature  June  22,  1793.  In  August  of  that  year, 
/  Mr.  Fitch  was  elected  President,  and  in  October  fol- 
lowing, Williams  College  was  regularly  organized 
by  the  admission  of  three  small  classes.  President 
Fitch  now  entered  upon  a  theatre  of  enlarged  and 
responsible  action,  —  one  for  which,  by  his  learning, 
talents,  and  experience  in  teaching,  he  was  well 
adapted.  In  choosing  him  as  the  first  President  of 
their  infant  seminary  the  trustees  were  eminently 
united  and  happy.  And  that  they  were  neither  un- 
wise nor  disappointed  in  their  choice  cannot  be 
doubted  by  those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  early 
history  of  the  college.  In  his  hands,  and  under  his 
care,  it  soon  acquired  celebrity  and  influence,  num- 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  41 

bers  and  usefulness,  not  surpassed,  if  equalled,  by 
any  sister  institution  of  that  period  in  circumstances 
no  more  friendly  to  success. 

In  May,  1792,  President  Fitch  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mrs.  Mary  Cogswell,  the  widow  of  his  in- 
timate friend,  cousin,  and  classmate,  Samuel  Cogs- 
well, Esq.,  who  has  been  before  mentioned.  Mrs. 
Cogswell  was  the  daughter  of  Major  Ebenezer 
Backus,  of  Windham,  Ct.,  —  a  highly  intelligent 
and  amiable  woman.  Previous  to  her  first  marriage, 
she  received  a  matrimonial  offer  from  Samuel  Cogs- 
well, Esq.,  and  President  Fitch,  about  the  same 
time.  Neither  of  them  was  aware  that  the  other 
had  made  her  such  a  proposal.  She  was,  however, 
united  to  Mr.  Cogswell  in  marriage.  Samuel  Cogs- 
well, Esq.,  was  a  brother  of  Dr.  Mason  Fitch  Cogs- 
well, of  Hartford,  the  originator  and  patron  of  the 
American  Asylum,  in  that  place,  for  the  education 
of  the  deaf  and  dumb.  Mr.  Cogswell  resided  in 
Lansingburg,  N.  Y.,  and  was  accidentally  shot  dead, 
on  a  gunning  party,  by  a  friend  and  fellow- graduate 
of  Yale  College,  about  the  time  that  President  Fitch 
went  to  Williamstown. 

By    his    marriage.  President    Fitch    became   the        / 
father  of  eleven  children,  ten  of  whom  were  sons.* 

*  The  two  children  left  by  Mr.  Cogswell  —  Maria,  afterward  the  wife  of 
Major  Jonathan  Sloan,  and  James  Fitch  Cogswell — President  Fitch 
treated  as  his  own,  giving  the  son  a  public  education.  He  was  graduated 
at  Williams  College,  in  1808.  Three  of  President  Fitch's  children  were 
born  at  a  birth.  May,  1807,  two  of  whom  died  the  June  following,  of  the 
whooping-cough.  One  of  the  three  is  still  living.  Tlie  children  now  liv- 
4* 


y 


42  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

Five  died  young.  The  oldest  of  this  number,  Eben- 
ezer,  had  just  been  admitted  a  member  of  college, 
and  died  the  night  preceding  commencement,  1807. 
He  was  a  professor  of  religion,  and  a  youth  of  great 
promise. 

After  describing   some  domestic  afflictions,  in  a 
letter  to  a  relative.  Dr.  Fitch  adds :  — 

"  But  a  holy  God  had  a  still  heavier  affliction  iu  store  for  us. 
Alas,  must  I  tell  you  that  my  first-born,  my  Ebenezer,  has  gone 
down  to  the  grave?  So,  indeed,  it  is.  In  the  summer  of  1806 
he  obtained  a  hope  that  his  heart  was  renewed  by  divine  grace, 
and  he  afterwards  lived  like  a  sincere  and  devoted  Christian.  On 
the  third  Sabbath  in  January,  he,  with  several  others,  made  a 
public  profession  of  rehgion.  He  was  unusually  gifted  in  prayer 
and.  exhortation,  and  took  a  modest  but  active  part  in  the  religious 
conferences  of  the  young  people.  Several  times  in  my  absence 
he  prayed  in  the  family  with  propriety,  fervor,  and  solemnity.  It 
was  usual  for  him  to  pray  with  his  brothers  in  their  chamber  be- 
fore retiring  to  rest,  and  immediately  after  they  rose  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  and  we  have  evidence  that  he  did  not  neglect  secret  prayer. 
Thus  was  God,  I  humbly  trust,  in  infinite  mercy  preparing  him 
for  the  great  event  which  was  so  near  at  hand.  On  Saturday, 
the  2i)th  of  August,  he  and  several  others  of  his  mates  were  ex- 
amined and  admitted  into  college.  The  next  day  I  preached,  and 
he  was  present  all  day.  We  had  all  been  ill  with  a  severe  influ- 
enza. He  had  it  lighter  than  the  rest  of  the  family,  and  appeared 
to  be  well  over  it.     Sabbath  evening  he  told  his  mother  that  he 

ing  are  two  sons  and  the  only  daughter,  Mrs.  Lucy  Fitch  Folsom,  whose 
husband  is  an  eflScient  chaplain  in  the  army.  Two  of  Dr.  Fitch's  sons 
were  graduated  at  Williams  College,  —  Mason  Cogswell  Fitch,  in  1815, 
who  died  in  1852  at  New  Albany,  Indiana,  a  man  of  wealth  and  influence; 
the  Kev.  Charles  Fitch  graduated  in  1818,  and  died  in  1864,  having  filled 
up  a  life  of  usefulness. 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  43 

felt  unusually  well,  and  retired  to  rest.  Before  sunrise  on  Mon- 
day morning  I  found  him  afflicted  with  chills,  wliich  were  suc- 
ceeded by  fever.  I  administered  some  mild  remedies,  which 
seemed  to  remove  his  fever,  and  thought  little  of  any  danger  in 
his  case.  I  was  in  the  college  till  noon,  and  did  not  till  three 
o'clock  take  any  alarm.  I  then  found  his  fever  high,  and  called 
in  a  physician,  who  bled  him,  and  all  his  strength  and  senses  left 
him  at  once,  and  he  appeared  to  be  sinking  into  the  arms  of  death. 
My  pen  will  not  allow  me  to  describe  the  distressing  scene  which 
followed.  He  expired  just  after  twelve  on  Wednesday  morning 
of  commencement-day.  God  enabled  me  to  go  through  the  usual 
exercises  of  the  day ;  and  on  Thursday  forenoon  we  attended  the 
funeral,  and  committed  the.  dear,  darhng  child  to  the  dust.  My 
heai't  daily  bleeds  under  this  sore  affliction.  But  God  be  praised, 
—  the  dear  child,  I  doubt  not,  is  with  his  Saviour.  There,  there 
may  he  be.  I  wish  not  to  recall  him.  His  age  was  fourteen 
years,  six  months,  and  five  days.  I  have  now  lost  a  very  obedient, 
affectionate,  pious,  and  promising  child.  But  my  loss  is  his  in- 
estimable gain.  All  is  right.  All  is  well.  And  may  God  have 
all  the  praise." 

"  The  President,"  says  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robbins,  who 
was  present  on  the  occasion,  "  though  deeply  af- 
flicted, appeared  remarkably  well.  He  performed 
the  official  duties  of  Commencement  with  great  cor- 
rectness and  propriety.  The  funeral  of  his  son  was 
attended  the  next  day,  and  most  of  the  students  re- 
mained to  sympathize  with  their  deeply  afflicted 
President  and  his  family.  When  the  corpse  was 
deposited  in  the  grave,  the  bereaved  father  in  a  calm 
and  collected  tone  remarked :  "  I  do  not  deposit 
in  this  grave  silver  or  gold,  but  my  first-born,  the 
beginning  of  my  strength." 


44  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

v^  The    first  Commencement   of   Williams  College 

was  on  the  first  Wednesday  in  Sept.,  1795.  On 
the  17th  day  of  June  previous,  President  Fitch 
was  ordained  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  at  Wil- 
liamstown,  by  the  Berkshire  Association,  with 
special  reference  to  his  station  as  head  of  the  col- 
lege. The  Rev.  Epbraim  Judson,  of  Sheffield, 
preached  the  sermon  from  2  Timothy  iv.  2.  Preach 
the  loord.  The  Rev.  Dr.  West,  of  Stockbridge,  gave 
the  charge.  And  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swift,  of  Williams- 
town,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  In  this  he 
remarks :  "  We  rejoice  at  your  readiness  to  engage 
in  the  great  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and  to 
make  preaching  yom*  business  at  college  and  other 
places,  so  far  as  your  study  and  business  at  college 
will  permit." 

President  Fitch  received  the  honorary  degree  of 
Doctor  in  Divinity,  from  Harvard  University,  in 
September,  1800. 

Williams  College  came  into  existence  in  a  great 
measure  by  the  wise  and  persevering  efforts  of  Pres- 
ident Fitch,  and  prospered  greatly  under  his  influ- 
ence and  supervision.  From  an  humble  beginning 
it  was  raised,  chiefly  by  his  instrumentality,  to  a 
station  of  high  and  acknowledged  respectability  and 
usefulness.  For  a  series  of  years  it  continued  to 
advance  with  accelerated  progress  in  usefulness  and 
reputation.  Such  was  the  rapidity  of  its  growth, 
and  its  almost  unexampled  prosperity,  that  at  one 
period  of  Dr.  Fitch's  presidency  it  enrolled  upon  its 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  45 

annual  catalogue  about  one  hundred  and  forty  stu-    ^ 
dents.     It  was  resorted  to  from  all  parts  of  New 
England  and  New  York. 

The  following  brief  extracts  from  some  of  Presi- 
dent Fitch's  letters  will  be  read,  in  this  connection, 
with  interest : 

"January,  1796.  The  number  of  students  is  increasing  so  rap- 
idly that  we  are  already  in  want  of  another  college  edifice.  AVe 
hope  to  obtain  from  the  State  a  grant  of  a  township  of  land  in  the 
Province  of  Maine,  which,  if  obtained,  will  enable  us  to  erect 
another  building.  At  present,  we  have  a  very  likely  collection  of 
young  men.  They  are  very  studious  and  orderly,  and  give  us 
scarcely  any  trouble." 


V\/ 


Through  the  influence  of  the  late  Dr.  West,  of 
Stockbridge,  who  was  for  a  number  of  years  Vice 
President  of  Williams  College,  Dr.  Hopkins's  Sys- 
tem of  Divinity  was  for  a  time  one  of  the  text- 
books  for  the  senior  class.  March,  1797,  the  Presi- 
dent writes  :  "  In  future  we  shall  read  Doddridge's 
Lectures  in  lieu  of  Hopkins's  System." 

The  following  letter  from  Dr.  West  to  Dr.  Samuel 
Hopkins  will  be  read,  in  this  connection,  with  in- 
terest :  — 

"  Stockbridge,  Sept.  19,  1797. 
"  You  spoke  in  your  last  of  our  having  prohibited  your  System  u/ 
being  recited  in  Williams  College.  It  is  true,  the  trustees  have 
prohibited  it.  It  was  introduced  as  a  classical  study  without  the 
order  of  the  corporation.  The  President  introduced  it  because, 
as  he  told  me,  he  thought  it  much  exceeded  anything  of  the  kind 
he  had  seen.     But  the  civilian  part  of  the  board,  it  seems,  were 


J 


46  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

of  another  opinion.  They  judged  that  its  being  recited  would  be 
injurious  to  the  reputation  of  our  new  institution.  The  matter 
was  considerably  discussed.  The  clerical  part  of  the  board  were 
all  of  one  mind ;  and  were  greatly  opposed  to  its  being  rejected. 
But  when  the  vote  for  its  rejection  was  taken,  every  hand  was  up, 
excepting  those  of  the  ministers.  Though  the  world  seems  to  be 
made  for  Csesar,  yet  we  know  that  Zion's  God  reigns.  The  time 
is  not  yet  come  for  truth  to  prevail.  But  in  God's  good  time  it 
surely  will  come.  The  evil  one  intends  to  hold  the  college,  but 
the  Lord  will  support  his  own  cause." 

Williams  College  was  early  and  intimately  asso- 
ciated with  those  views  of  theology  which  were  ad- 
vocated and  defended  by  Dr.  Samuel  Hopkins,  who 
was  for  twenty-five  years  a  clergyman  in  Berkshire 
County.  President  Fitch,  Dr.  West,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Collins,  and  most  of  the  clergy  of  the  county 
at  that  day  were  favorable  to  Dr.  Hopkins's  theo- 
logical views.  Williams  College  was  likewise  early 
associated  with  the  cause  of  missions  to  the  hea- 
then ;  and  its  early  missionary  zeal  was  the  result 
or  fruit  of  its  theology.  The  one  was  the  precursor 
of  the  other.  They  stood  related  as  cause  and  ef- 
fect. And  the  fundamental  truth  in  its  theology  and 
missionary  spirit  was  "  disinterested  benevolence  ;  " 
which  seems  to  hold  about  the  same  place  in  the  re- 
ligious world  that  the  attraction  of  gravitation  holds 
in  the  natural  world ;  involving  the  great  law  of  the 
union  and  the  progress  of  the  race. 

"  January,  1 799.  Things  go  well  in  our  infant  seminary.  Our 
number  is  hardly  as  large  as  it  was  last  year.     The  scarcity  of 


v/ 


REY.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  47 

money  is  one  cause  of  this  decrease.  Some  leave  us  through 
mere  poverty.  But  our  ambition  is  to  make  good  scholars,  rather 
than  to  add  to  our  numbers  ;  and  in  this  we  mean  not  to  be  out- 
done by  any  college  in  New  England.  Perseverance  in  the  sys- 
tem we  have  adopted  will  eventually  give  reputation  to  this  insti- 
tution in  the  view  of  all  who  prefer  the  useful  to  the  showy." 

"Dec.  1799.    The  college  is  in  a  prosperous  state.    The  students 
continue  to  be  diligent  and  orderly.     We  admitted  twenty-four      v^ 
freshmen,  and  have  in  all  eighty-one  members  of  college." 

"June,  1801.  Our  college  is  prospering.  We  have  admitted 
forty-five  freshmen  and  nine  sophomores  tliis  year,  and  expect 
to  make  the  number  up  to  sixty  before  commencement." 

"  Januai'y,  1802.  Our  freshman  class  this  year  is  not  as  large 
as  usual,  but  we  expect  it  will  increase  to  twenty-five  or  more. 
A  larger  number  of  them  than  usual  are  professors  of  religion  ; 
and  I  hope  will  make  pious  and  useful  ministers.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  cruel  and  malicious  slanders  thrown  so  profusely  of  late 
on  the  clergy,  serious  young  men,  who  have  the  ministry  in  view, 
appear  not  to  be  disheartened.  The  great  Head  of  the  church 
will  still,  I  trust,  continue  a  succession  of  learned  and  evangelical 
ministers  in  his  churches  in  this  land.  He  appears  to  be  interpos- 
ing remarkably  for  the  increase  and  encouragement  of  his  church 
in  one  place  and  another  ;  and  for  the  support  of  the  great  cause 
of  truth  and  piety.  Amidst  all  the  present  dark  and  threatening 
appearances,  some  light  shines  to  console  and  animate  the  friends 
of  order,  government,  and  religion.  The  clergy  are  now  experi- 
encing the  trial  of  '  cruel  mocking  ; '  and  it  will  not  be  surprising 
if  '  scourgings,  bonds,  imprisonments '  and  other  persecutions 
should  follow,  for  the  trial  of  their  faith  and  patience.  It  has 
been  usual  for  God  to  suifer  his  church  to  sink  very  low  before 
he  appears  to  deliver  and  enlarge  it.  This  will  probably  be  emi- 
nently the  case  previously  to  its  last  great  deliverance  and  en- 
largement. I  trust  that  ministers  and  Chi-istians  in  general  will 
have  grace  and  strength  in  proportion  to  their  trials  ;  and  have  no 
doubt  that  true  religion  will  ultimately  triumph." 


48  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

"April,  1802.  We  have  lately  liad  trouble  in  college.  The 
judgments  which  we  drew  up  and  published  to  the  classes  re- 
specting their  examination  in  March,  gave  offence.  Three  class- 
es in  succession  were  in  a  state  of  insurrection  against  govern- 
ment. For  ten  days  we  had  a  good  deal  of  difficulty.  But  the 
government  stood  firm,  and  determined  to  give  up  no  right.  At 
last,  without  the  loss  of  a  member,  we  reduced  all  to  due  obe- 
dience and  subordination.  Never  before  had  I  occasion  for  so 
much  prudence  and  firmness  ;  not  even  in  the  grand  rebellion  of 
1782  at  Yale.  Most  of  the  students  are  now  very  much  ashamed 
of  their  late  conduct.  The  present  generation  of  them  will  not, 
I  apprehend,  burn  their  fingers  again.  They  have  found  that  we 
will  support  our  authority." 

"March,  1803.  We  have  both  of  our  college  buildings  full  of 
students.  Nearly  thirty  of  them  are  serious  professors ;  and  many 
more  of  them  are  such  amiable  and  moral  young  men  that  we 
have  strong  hopes  that  they  will  become  truly  pious,  and  make 
useful  and  devoted  ministers  of  the  gospel.  This  is  truly  encour- 
aging, though  there  is  at  present  no  special  attention  to  rehgion 
among  us." 

Nothing  occurred  to  check  the  prosperity  of  the 
college,  or  cause  any  serious  difficulty  or  discour- 
agement, for  fifteen  years.  In  the  summer  of  1808 
a  disturbance  took  place  among  the  students,  con- 
cerning which  we  propose  to  give  some  account, 
nearly  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Chester  Dewey. 

In  the  summer  just  alluded  to,  the  sophomore 
class  became  very  much  dissatisfied  with  their  tutor. 
At  that  time  the  college  had  but  four  officers ;  the 
President  taught  the  seniors,  Professor  Olds  the 
juniors,  and  there  was  a  sophomore  and  a  fresh- 
man tutor.     The  sophomores  wished  to  prevent  the 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  49 

continuance  of  their  tutor  in  college  after  the  aext  ^ 
commencement.  Accordingly  they  presented  a  pe- 
tition to  the  President  and  Trustees,  signed  by  some 
besides  their  own  class,  that  their  tutor  might  not 
be  reelected.  This  attempt  on  the  part  of  students 
to  interfere  with  the  government  of  the  college  cre- 
ated agitation  and  disturbance.  Those  not  belong- 
ing to  the  class  acknowledged  their  wrong,  and  were 
forgiven.  Here  the  matter  rested  till  after  com- 
mencement, which  passed  off  pleasantly,  —  the  tu- 
tors remaining  in  office,  —  and  here  it  was  supposed 
the  matter  would  end.  The  students  returned,  hop- 
ing that  everything  would  go  on  in  peace. 

But  Professor  Olds  felt  that  the  subject  must  not 
be  left  so.  He  felt  that  the  students  must  not  be 
allowed  to  interfere  in  matters  where  they  had  no 
control.  He  felt  that  the  tutor  had  been  injured  by 
what  the  students  had  said  and  done.  He  had  per- 
suaded some  of  the  students  to  make  their  acknowl- 
edgments ;  and  now  he  wanted  those  most  con^ 
cerned  in  getting  up  the  petition  to  do  the  same.. 
The  Faculty  agreed  with  him  in  this  opinion. 
When  Professor  Olds  presented  the  subject  to  the 
members  of  the  offending  class  (now  under  his  in- 
struction), each  individual  refused  to  put  his  name 
to  the  paper.  The  junior  class  was  now  in  direct 
opposition  to  a  measure  adopted  by  the  Faculty. 
Recitations  were  at  once  suspended  in  that  class, 
and  the  whole  college  was  in  a  state  of  high  excite-  j 


50  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

ment ;  and  the  expulsion  of  some  of  those  most 
deeply  implicated  was  seriously  apprehended. 

When  the  state  of  things  was  reported  to  the 
Faculty,  the  President,  after  a  more  careful  exami- 
nation of  the  case,  and  obtaining  the  advice  of 
Judge  Daniel  Dewey,  refused  to  sustain  the  Profes- 
sor and  tutors  in  the  attempt  to  force  a  confession 
from  the  juniors ;  saying  that  he  had  been  mistaken 
in  the  facts,  or  he  should  not  have  consented  to  re- 
quire the  proposed  acknowledgment.  Was  this 
course  in  the  President  justifiable  ?     Most  certainly. 

In  the  midst  of  the  excitement  a  committee  of 
the  students  waited  on  the  President,  and  begged 
to  inform  him  of  the  ground  on  which  they  had 
signed  the  objectionable  petition  ;  that  their  motive 
in  doing  it  was  to  sustain  the  reputation  and  useful- 
ness of  the  college  ;  that  before  presenting  it,  they 
had  made  it  a  subject  of  special  prayer;  that  if  the 
tutor  remained,  some  of  the  students  had  made  up 
their  minds  to  leave ;  that  if  they  had  erred,  it  was 
in  discharging  what  they  deemed  to  be  a  duty. 
This  representation  and  further  examination  pro- 
duced a  change  in  the  President's  course,  which  was 
unexpected  to  the  other  officers.  He  said  the  mat- 
ter had  been  managed  by  Professor  Olds,  in  whom 
great  confidence  had  been  placed,  and  that  he  had 
come  to  conclusions,  and  had  led  them  to  adopt 
measures,  which  the  true  state  of  the  facts,  and  the 
feelings  and  intentions  of  the  students,  did  not  au- 
thorize.    He  therefore  told  the    Professor  that  the 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  51 

proposed  measure  was  not  called  for,  and  must  be 
given  up.  Professor  Olds  now  felt  that  he  could 
no  longer  hold  a  respectable  standing  in  the  eyes  of 
the  students,  —  that  he  must  be  sustained  or  resign. 
Without  looking  at  the  consequences,  the  tutors 
sent  in  a  hasty,  inconsiderate  resignation  ;  and  in  a 
few  hours  that  of  Professor  Olds  followed. 

The  college  was  now  left  without  any  officer  ex- 
cept the  President,  and  as  the  vacancies  could  not 
be  supplied  at  once,  a  recess  of  four  weeks  was 
given  to  the  students.  At  the  expiration  of  that 
time  most  of  the  students  returned.  Messrs.  Ches- 
ter Dewey,  John  Nelson,  and  James  W.  Robbins 
were  called  to  the  tutorships.  The  students  at  once 
devoted  themselves  to  quiet  and  profitable  study. 
They  pursued  an  unexceptionable  course  in  all 
things.     Peace,  order,  and  good  feeling  now  ruled. 

Professor  Olds  evidently  misjudged  on  the  dishon- 
or of  his  situation.  His  keen  sensitiveness  led  him 
to  terminate  his  connection  with  Williams  College, 
and  afterwards  with  other  institutions,  in  such  a 
sudden  manner  that  many  years  of  his  life  were 
sadly  embittered.  His  mind  was  of  a  high  order; 
he  was  a  finished  scholar,  an  excellent  linguist, 
and  the  whole  system  of  mathematics  then  taught 
in  our  colleges  was  perfectly  at  his  command. 

.  But  who  were  among  the  leading  members  of  the 
class  which  Professor  Olds  considered  so  refractory, 
and  so  unceremoniously  abandoned,  and  which  Pres- 
ident Fitch,  at  the  peril  of  being  thought  wanting  in 


f 


52  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

firmness,  defended?  The  late  Dr.  Justin  Edwards, 
the  Rev.  S.  M.  Emerson,  Hon.  Judge  J.  H.  Hallock, 
Hon.  Judge  Daniel  Kellogg,  Hon.  Darius  Lyman, 
Hon.  William  H.  Maynard,  the  Rev.  Luther  Rice, 
one  of  the  early  missionaries  to  the  East,  and  the 
Rev.  John  Seward,  an  early  missionary  to  the  West. 

"  Still  from  this  shock,"  says  President  Griffin, 
"  increased  by  exaggerated  reports  respecting  the 
extent  of  the  disorders,  the  college  did  not  recover 
itself  during  the  administration  of  Dr.  Fitch."  And 
yet  he  was  fully  sustained  in  the  course  which  he 
pursued  by  all  the  Trustees,  and  by  the  friends  of 
the  college  generally.  The  subsequent  history  of 
the  class  has  clearly  shown  that  he  was  in  the  right. 
Time  has  been  his  vindicator. 

We  have  given  a  somewhat  full  account  of  this 
college  rupture,  because  it  evidently  had  no  small 
influence  in  hastening  the  President's  resignation. 

It  will  be  seen,  by  consulting  the  Triennial  Cata- 
logue, that  the  largest  class  that  was  graduated  at 
Williams  College  during  the  presidency  of  Dr. 
Fitch,  was  that  of  the  year  1804.  It  contained  38. 
That  of  1811  contained  34.  Those  of  1808,  1809, 
and  1814  contained  29.  Those  of  1805  and  1806 
contained  26.  And  the  last  class  that  was  gradu- 
ated under  Dr.  Fitch  (that  of  1815),  contained  24. 
The  following  comparison  will  show  the  prosperous 
condition  of  the  college  during  the  administration 
of  Dr.  Fitch.  During  his  presidency  of  twenty- two 
years  the  whole  number  of  graduates  amounted  in 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.D.  53 

\ 

all  to  460,  —  an  average  of  about  22  annually. 
During  the  six  years  of  Dr.  Moore's  administration 
the  whole  number  of  graduates  was  90,  —  an  aver- 
age of  15  annually.  The  fifteen  classes  which  were 
graduated  during  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Griffin  con- 
tained in  all  311,  —  an  average  of  21  annually. 

In  1843,  the  Society  of  Alumni  celebrated  the 
semi-centennial  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the 
college.  Some  of  the  remarks  offered  on  that  occa- 
sion by  the  Hon.  C.  A.  Dewey,  who  is  familiar  with 
the  early  and  later  history  of  the  institution,  will 
form  a  fitting  close  to  this  chapter. 

"  Williams  here  laid  the  foundation  of  a  school  of  an  elevated 
character,  and  one  promising  great  benefit  to  the  youth  in  this 
vicinity.  It  soon  came  to  be  felt  that  the  cause  of  sound  learning 
and  true  piety  demanded  an  institution  of  a  more  elevated  charac- 
ter, —  one  -which  might  extend  its  benefits  to  young  men,  not  in 
this  town  merely,  but  embracing  a  large  circle  in  an  extended 
region.  In  the  true  spirit  of  our  republican  institutions,  this  college 
was  chartered,  and  by  its  establishment  the  facilities  of  a  collegiate 
education  were  widely  extended.  Here  benefits  of  a  practical 
character  were  secured.  It  occupied  a  space  remote  from  other 
similar  institutions ;  its  expenses  were  of  small  amount,  and  easily 
brought  within  the  compass  of  all  who  desired  to  obtain  an  educa- 
tion. In  truth,  it  extended  the  advantages  to  a  large  class  of 
young  men,  who,  but  for  this  college,  would  have  been  deprived 
of  the  advantages  of  a  liberal  education ;  and  many,  who  have 
now  a  controlling  influence  in  the  affairs  of  National  and  State 
governments ;  many  who  have  adorned  the  hberal  professions ; 
and  many  who  have  gone  forth  to  civilize  and  Christianize  the 
heathen  world,  would  have  remained  in  comparative  obscurity 
but  for  this  institution.  The  advantages  here  offered  were  eagerly 
5» 


54  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

embraced.  Young  men  from  every  quarter  here  assembled. 
Those  who  would  have  gone  to  no  other  institution  were  here 
trained  and  fitted  to  be  strong  pillars  in  the  church  and  state,  — 
filling  the  learned  professions,  occupjang  the  highest  stations  in 
our  universities  and  colleges,  and  honored  by  seats  in  our  legisla- 
tive halls. 

"  AVUliams  College  was  peculiarly  fortunate  in  its  first  officers. 
President  Fitch,  that  good  man,  who  for  twenty-two  years  presided 
over  it,  brought  to  the  presidential  chair  those  qualities  which 
gave  him  extensive  influence,  and  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
friends  of  learning  and  science.  Uniting  the  urbane  manners  of 
the  good-hearted  gentleman,  highly  respectable  talents,  much  and 
long-continued  experience  as  a  teacher,  and  a  heart  abounding  in 
love  to  God  and  toward  his  fellow-men,  he  was  beloved  of  all, 
and  esteemed  of  all. 

"  His  early  associates,  as  teachers,  were  men  of  the  highest 
order.  Among  them  was  Jeremiah  Day,  so  long  the  distinguished 
head  of  Yale  College ;  Henry  Davis,  who  afterwards  presidep 
over  Middlebury  and  Hamilton  Colleges ;  Thomas  Day  and 
Warren  Dutton,  both  lights  of  science  and  literature.  And  others 
might  with  propriety  be  named  In  this  connection. 

"  The  college  had  indeed  its  palmy  days,  and  the  evidence  of 
its  usefulness  soon  became  apparent.  If  subsequently  there  have 
been  days  of  darkness  and  depression,  they  have  been  shared,  it 
is  believed,  in  common  with  other  similar  institutions ;  for  what 
college  has  not  had  its  days  of  darkness  and  trial  ? 

"  The  period  emphatically  one  of  depression  and  discourage- 
ment as  to  numbers  was  that  of  1813,  1814,  and  1815.  The 
question  as  to  whether  a  new  class  was  to  enter  at  the  new  college 
year  was  sometimes  supposed  to  depend  on  the  state  of  things  in 
a  private  classical  school  in  the  little  village  of  Plalnfield,  and 
what  numbers  that  good  and  venerable  man  and  minister,  the 
Rev.  Moses  Hallock,  could  send  us.  There,  In  retirement,  besides 
his  parochial  duties,  always  faithfully  performed,  this  venerable 
man  devoted  his  time  most  successfully  to  the  classical  education 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  56 

of  young  men.  Mr.  Hallock  never  forsook  us ;  and  in  the  days  of 
our  greatest  need  always  sent  us  from  bis  retired  cloister  a  num- 
ber of  goodly  youth,  and  in  one  instance,  I  believe,  furnished 
more  than  one  half  of  the  entire  class." 

Among  the  many  young  men  who  were  jEitted  for 
this  college  by  Mr.  Hallock,  and  who  rose  to  emi- 
nence, may  be  named  James  Richards,  missionary  to 
Ceylon  ;  Jonas  King,  missionary  to  Greece  ;  William 
Richards,  who  went  as  missionary  to  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  but  became  Minister  of  Public  Instruction  ; 
and  in  this  connection  the  name  of  William  A.  Hal- 
lock, Secretary  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  ought 
not  to  be  omitted.  Others  have  been  distinguished 
in  different  professions,  among  whom  are  William 
H.  Maynard,  of  the  New  York  State  Senate,  and 
founder  of  the  Law  School  in  Hamilton  College ; 
and  Jeremiah  H.  Hallock,  for  years  a  presiding  judge 
in  Ohio. 


CHAPTER    V. 

RELIGIOUS  UISTORY  OF  THE    COLLEGE  UP  TO  1815 — EXTRACT  FROM 

THE     SERMON    AND    CHARGE    AT    DR.    FITCh's    ORDINATION THE 

FIRST  REVIVAL  IN  COLLEGE THE  HAYSTACK  PRATER-MEETING 

MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  ORGANIZED  —  SECOND  REVIVAL  —  LETTER 
TO  DR.  HYDE  —  THIRD  REVIVAL  —  DR.  J.  EDWARDS'  LETTER  TO 
DR.  FITCH. 

I^RESIDENT  FITCH  ever  manifested  a  deep 
and  lively  interest  in  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
those  who  were  under  his  care  and  instruc- 


ii  tion.  During  his  presidency,  Williams  Col- 
lege was  repeatedly  visited  by  the  special 
influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and  was  made 
instrumental  of  preparing  many  young  men 
for  the  ministry.  More  than  this :  it  was  honored 
as  the  birthplace  of  American  missions  to  the 
heathen.  It  was  here  that  such  devoted  men  as 
Mills  and  Hall,  James  and  William  Richards,  and 
others  of  a  kindred  spirit,  received  their  early  train- 
ing for  the  missionary  work.  The  repeated  revivals 
of  religion,  which  were  enjoyed  in  that  favored  col- 
lege previous  to  1815,  occurred  instruraentally  in 
connection  with  his  faithful  and  pungent  preaching. 
"  At  the  outset  of  his  career,  he  took  a  decided  stand 
against  French  Infidelity,  and   had  no  little  influ- 

(56) 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  57 

ence  in  staying  its  progress.  His  character  for  sin- 
cerity and  kindness  added  weight  to  his  instructions, 
and  gave  him  decided  advantages  as  a  religious 
teacher."  The  only  way  for  the  followers  of  Christ 
to  silence  those  who  oppose  and  deride  Christianity 
is  by  a  life  of  consistent  and  uniform  piety.  Such 
a  life  will  do  what  volumes  of  argument  cannot  ac- 
complish. It  will  not  only  silence,  but  it  will  sub- 
due. It  will  not  merely  close  the  mouth  of  the 
scoffer,  but  it  will  find  its  way  to  his  heart.  Those 
who  were  personally  acquainted  with  Dr.  Fitch,  daily 
took  knowledge  of  him,  that  he  had  his  "  conversa- 
tion in  heaven." 

To  show  the  views  of  the  founders  and  early  pa- 
trons of  the  college,  we  shall  here  introduce  an 
extract  from  the  sermon  and  charge  at  Dr.  Fitch's 
ordination :  — 


" '  Our  fathers  have  done  well,'  said  the  Rev.  Mr.  Judson,  in  his 
ordination  sermon,  '  for  they  have  encouraged  the  preaching  of 
the  word.  To  promote  this  good  design,  they  formed  themselves 
into  small  towns  and  parishes.  In  these  they  built  houses  for  pub- 
lic worship,  settled  ministers,  and  usually  attended  on  pulpit  in- 
struction. In  consequence  of  this  wise  regulation,  the  people  of 
New  England  have  been  the  most  virtuous  and  enlightened  of 
any  in  the  world.  And,  what  is  infinitely  more,  multitudes  are 
now  in  glory,  praising  the  ever-living  God  for  the  expression  of 
his  mercy  in  giving  them  a  place  in  this  happy  land  of  light.' 

"  They  did  more.  They  erected  colleges,  with  a  princij^al  de- 
sign to  diffuse  a  knowledge  of  the  word.  They  have  appointed 
divines  to  preside  over  them,  that  the  youth  might  be  instructed 
in  religion,  as  well  as  in  the  branches  of  collegiate  science.     And 


58  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

it  gives  us  pleasure  to  see  such  an  one  at  tlie  head  of  Williams 
College,  to  whom  it  may  be  proper,  on  this  occasion,  to  say  a  few 
words  in  particular. 

"  Sir,  —  After  the  solemnities  of  this  day,  in  all  your  steps  in 
the  field  of  science  with  the  young  gentlemen  under  your  instruc- 
tion, you  will  remember  you  are  a  minister  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  under  the  most  solemn  charge  tu  preach  his  word.  Since 
your  residence  will  be  at  the  college,  you  will  feel  yourself  under 
special  obligation  to  instruct  the  youth  in  the  things  of  religion. 
Your  advantages  for  it  will  be  great.  You  will  have  the  authori- 
ty of  a  father ;  for  when  we  send  our  sons  here,  we  constitute  you 
their  parent.  You  will  have  the  authority  of  a  president.  And 
in  a  few  moments  you  will  have  the  authority  of  a  minister  of 
the  word.  The  sacredness  of  your  office  will  give  weight  to  your 
example  and  instruction.  With  these  advantages,  and  with  the 
Bible  in  your  hand,  and  its  i:)rinciples  in  your  heart,  you  have  a 
happy  prospect  of  doing  good.  You  will  also  be  under  a  charge 
pressed  upon  j-ou  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  Lord  Jesus,  and 
the  solemnity  of  the  day  of  judgment,  and  the  exceedingly  im- 
portant consideration  that  the  word  is  the  only  thing  that  will 
lead  youth  to  a  correct  knowledge  of  God,  of  true  virtue  and 
eternal  life.  You  will  often  reflect  that  religion  is  the  best  qual- 
ification they  can  possess,  to  prepare  them  for  public  usefulness, 
when  they  leave  this  seat  of  learning,  and  go  forth  to  be  citizens 
of  the  world.  We,  their  parents,  commit  them  to  your  care, 
above  all  things  wishing  you  would  faithfully  instruct  them  in  the 
things  of  God." 

In  his  appropriate  charge,  Dr.  West  observes :  — 

"  You  are  called  to  preside  over  the  seminary  of  learning  in 
this  place.  You  will  remember  that  to  train  up  youth  for  the 
service  of  Christ  in  the  great  work  of  the  ministry,  was  one  prin- 
cipal object  which  our  pious  forefathers  had  in  view  in  the  orig- 
inal institution  of  colleges  in  this  land.     Divinity  is  one  important 


REV.  EEENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  59 

branch  of  instruction,  to  which  you  will  be  constantly  called  to 
attend.  We  charge  you  not  to  teach  for  doctrine  the  command- 
ments of  men  ;  but  that  the  instructions  which  you  shall  from  time 
to  time  give  be  drawn  from  the  pure  fountain  of  the  word  of 
God.  You  will  remember  that  the  souls  of  these  youth  will  be, 
in  an  important  sense,  required  at  your  hand.  Watch  for  them, 
therefore,  as  one  that  must  give  an  account." 

Theology  has  always  been  studied  in  Williams 
College,  not  professionally,  but  as  a  part  of  a  lib- 
eral education.  The  Westminster  Catechism  has 
always  furnished,  and  does  to  this  day  furnish,  the 
regular  exercise  for  the  senior  class  every  Saturday 
forenoon.  It  was  studied  in  Yale  College  when  Dr. 
Fitch  was  there,  and  by  him  was  transferred  to  this 
college.  And  perhaps  no  recitations  have  been  more 
'highly  prized,  or  remembered  with  more  profit. 

The  original  guardians  of  Williams  College  were 
men  of  large  and  enlightened  views.  Eight  of  the 
thirteen  original  trustees  were  graduates  of  Yale 
College,  and  most  of  them  were  men  of  distinguished 
eminence.  It  was  their  full  intention,  from  the  first, 
to  have  an  institution  of  high  order,  and  that  should 
not  be  inferior  to  their  own  Alma  Mater,  as  soon  as 
their  means  would  enable  them  to  accomplish  their 
purposes.  Especially  did  they  intend  that  it  should 
be  of  a  high  religious  character,  and  adapted  to  pre- 
pare young  men  for  the  service  of  the  church. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  college,  the  number  of 
professors  of  religion  was  small ;  still,  even  then 
there  were  some   who  maintained   a  character  for 


60  REV.  EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D. 

consistent  and  active  piety.  From  the  faithful 
preaching  of  Dr.  Fitch,  and  from  the  labor  and  pray- 
ers of  the  few  pious  students  who  were  connected 
with  the  college,  some  received  impressions  which 
were  not  effaced  till  they  produced  a  permanent 
change.  Weekly  prayer-meetings  were  sustained 
in  those  early  days  with  great  uniformity.  There 
was  one  held  for  a  number  of  years  every  evening  in 
the  week  at  the  ringing  of  the  nine-o'clock  bell.  The 
meeting  was  much  in  the  form  of  family  worship. 
The  Scriptures  were  read,  remarks  were  made,  and 
prayer  was  offered.  "  This  meeting  was  sustained 
uniformly  for  four  years,"  and,  the  writer  adds,  "  I 
believe  will  be  remembered  with  joy  by  some  in  an- 
other world." 

It  was  often  said,  by  Dr.  Griffin,  that  revivals  of 
religion  began  to  make  their  appearance  in  1792,  in 
Litchfield  and  Berkshire  counties.  Soon  after  this, 
revivals  began  to  be  enjoyed  in  the  churches  gener- 
ally. The  Rev.  Mr.  Swift,  the  pastor  of  the  church 
in  Williamstown,  was  strongly  impressed  with  the 
belief  that  he  should  live  to  see  a  revival  under  his 
ministrations.  In  the  spring  of  1805,  this  blessing 
began  to  be  realized,  and  continued  between  two 
and  three  years.  It  soon  extended  to  the  college. 
In  the  spring  of  1806,  a  new  impulse  was  given  to 
the  revival  in  college,  by  the  accession  of  Samuel  J. 
Mills,  whose  religious  history  is  familiar,  and  whose 
very  name  is  "  like  ointment  poured  forth."  There 
were  two  other  young  men,  classmates  of  Mills,  who 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  61 

were  distinguished  for  their  consistent  piety  and  ac- 
tive usefulness,  —  namely,  James  Richards  and  Rob- 
ert C.  Robbins.  As  the  result  of  this  early  revival, 
it  is  reported  that  thirteen  made  a  profession  of  re- 
ligion, of  whom  nine  became  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
Another  account  says,  "  Besides  those  who  became 
members  of  the  church  from  the  classes  that  were 
graduated  in  1805,  6,  7,  8,  and  9,  about  seventeen 
have  since  become  professors  of  religion." 

This  revival,  which  commenced  in  1805,  extended 
into  1807,  so  that  late  in  that  year  Dr.  Fitch  writes, 
"  On  my  return  from  Sheldon,  Vt.,  the  5th  of  Febru- 
ary last,  I  found  our  excellent  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Swift,  on  his  death-bed.  I  left  him  in  good  health,  but 
found  him  in  a  dying  state.  He  lived,  however,  un- 
til the  13th  of  February,  and  then  left  this  evil  world 
to  receive  the  reward  of  a  faithful  minister  of  Jesus. 
His  death  brought  great  additional  labors  upon  me. 
The  attention  to  religion  still  continued,  and  I  at- 
tended meetings  and  preached  often.  Since  his 
death,  I  have  preached  about  fifty  sermons  here,  be- 
sides all  the  cares  and  distresses  which  have  attended 
me  in  my  family,  and  discharging  all  my  college 
duties.  Scarcely  time  has  been  left  me  to  take  my 
necessary  food  and  rest ;  and  I  am  still  involved  in 
this  scene  of  constant  cares  and  labors,  —  too  much 
for  any  one  man  to  perform." 

Gordon  Hall  became  pious  in  the  summer  of  1806. 
August  1st  of  that  year,  he  writes :  "  The  revival 
still  continues,  and,  to  the  everlasting  joy  of  sainis 


62  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

and  angels,  this  glorious  work  has  commenced  in 
college ;  and  a  number  of  students  have  been  hope- 
fully converted."  Hall  died  young ;  but  a  life  of  rare 
and  consistent  devotedness  gave  him  a  place  in  the 
highest  rank  of  missionaries.  There  is  another  indi- 
vidual still  living  (1865),  who,  just  before  his  gradu- 
ation in  1806,  came  decidedly  over  "on  the  Lord's 
side,"  and  who  for  a  series  of  years  was  made  ex- 
tensively instrumental  in  promoting  a  spirit  of  revi- 
vals in  college,  and  whose  name  is  held  in  grateful 
recollection  by  all  his  surviving  pupils, —  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Chester  Dewey. 

"  This  revival,"  says  Dr.  Spring  in  his  life  of  Mills, 
"was  among  the  most  signal  expressions  of  favor  to 
the  church."  He  alludes  to  the  well-known  fact  that 
a  zeal  for  missions  to  the  heathen  was  here  awakened 
and  developed  among  a  choice  circle  of  young  men, 
who  sustained  a  weekly  prayer-meeting,  out  of  which 
grew  a  foreign  missionary  association.  "  1  have  been 
in  situations  to  know,"  said  Dr.  Griffin,  "  that  from 
the  counsels  formed  in  that  sacred  conclave,  or 
from  the  mind  of  Mills  himself,  arose  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  the 
American  Bible  Society,  the  United  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society,  and  the  African  School,  under  the 
care  of  the  synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  ;  be- 
sides all  the  impetus  given  to  domestic  missions,  to 
the  Colonization  Society,  and  to  the  general  cause 
of  benevolence  in  both  hemispheres." 

It  was  in  the   summer  of  1806,  that  "  Williams 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  63 

College  began  to  rise  to  the  sacred  distinction  of  be- 
ing the  birthjDlace  of  American  Missions"  to  the 
heathen.  It  was  in  the  latter  part  of  July  or  first  of 
August  of  this  year  that  the  prayer-meeting  was 
held  by  Mills  and  his  associates  under  the  haystack, 
where  the  subject  of  missions  to  the  heathen  was 
first  proposed  and  prayed  over ;  and  was  shortly 
after  so  far  matured  that,  on  the  8th  of  September, 
1808,  a  Foreign  Missionary  Society  was  organized 
in  Williams  College,  —  the  first  society  of  the  kind 
in  this  country,  —  and  formed  before  the  conversion 
of  the  missionary.  Dr.  Judson.  These  incidents, 
hardly  known  in  their  day,  and  certainly  little  noticed, 
are  now  the  acknowledged  germ  of  that  great  instru- 
mentality in  civilizing  and  christianizing  the  world, 
— the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  For- 
eign Missions.  The  isolated  fact  that  the  training 
which  students  here  received  was  in  the  providence 
of  God  made  influential  in  the  establishment  of  for- 
eign missions,  justly  gives  to  the  college  the  name 
of  "  The  Missionary  College,"  and,  to  those  who 
were  connected  with  it  and  guiding  its  affairs,  a 
reputation  which  will  be  immortal. 

In  the  winter  of  1812,  another  revival  commenced 
in  the  church  in  Williamstown,  which  shortly  after 
extended  to  the  college  ;  but  its  influence  was  chief- 
ly confined  to  the  tv/o  lower  classes.  During  this 
season  of  special  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  it  is  reported  that  twenty-four  were  hopefully 
converted,  and   a  number  shortly  afterwards.     An- 


64  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

other  report  is,  that  twenty-one  were  added  to  the 
church,  of  whom  thirteen  became  ministers  of  the 
gospel.  Several  others  felt  the  power  of  the  revival, 
and  their  subsequent  lives  showed  that  these  impres- 
sions or  effects  were  not  transient. 

If  our  limits  would  allow,  we  should  be  glad  to 
give  the  particulars,  respecting  the  conversion  of  the 
late  Rev.  Charles  Jenkins,  who  became  a  decided 
and  earnest  Christian  in  this  revival.  He  was  after- 
wards settled  in  Greenfield,  and  then  in  Portland. 
Some  of  his  sermons  are  before  the  public.  But  we 
can  only  refer  our  readers  to  those  full  accounts  of 
these  revivals  which  are  published  in  the  history  of 
the  college. 

How  many  a  parent's  heart  might  have  been  glad- 
dened by  the  reception  of  such  a  letter  as  the  follow- 
ing !  Under  date  of  April  20,  1812,  Dr.  Fitch  writes 
to  the  late  Dr.  Hyde,  of  Lee :  — 

f  "  We  have  great  reason  to  bless  God  that  he  still  continues  his 
good  work  among  us.  Not  many  instances  of  deep  impression 
have  occurred  of  late ;  but  some  are  every  week  obtaining  com- 
fort, and  giving  hopeful  evidence  of  a  work  of  grace.  We  count 
six  or  seven  hopeful  converts  among  the  students,  and  ten  or 
twelve  are  deeply  impressed.  All  who  have  obtained  a  hope  are 
members  of  the  sophomore  class  except  one,  and  I  have  great 
satisfaction  in  informing  you  that  this  is  your  own  son.  He  had 
for  some  time  been  deeply  impressed,  and  last  Friday  obtained 
comfort.  He  called  on  Saturday  afternoon,  but  I  was  out  of  my 
study,  and  did  not  see  him.  This  morning  I  sent  for  him,  and, 
Deacon  Stratton  happening  to  call  in,  we  both  conversed  with 
him.     We  think  his  case  one  of  the  most  clear  and  hopeful  that 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  65 

has  come  to  our  knowledge  in  this  revival.  Very  few  who  give  \ 
satisfactory  evidence  of  a  work  of  grace  have  come  out  with 
those  strong,  lively,  and  ravishing  views  which  sometimes  attend 
such  a  work.  Still  it  has  clear  and  indubitable  marks  of  being 
a  genuine  work  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  But  in  the  case  of  your 
son,  and  indeed  in  all  the  others,  we  must  wait  to  see  the  fruits. 
Two  of  my  own  children,  C.  and  L.,  have  been  much  affected, 
but  are  now  comfortable.  I  hardly  dare  allow  myself  to  hope 
that  they  are  the  subjects  of  a  saving  change.  Professor  Dewey 
and  Deacon  S.  think  they  give  such  evidence  as  ought  to  encour- 
age a  hope.  "We  must  wait  to  see  what  fruit  they  produce.  We 
now  have  a  hope  for  more  than  thirty  since  this  revival  com-  / 
menced."  ^ 

May  8, 1812,  Dr.  Hyde  writes :  "  I  have  received 
information  that  Alvan,  my  eldest  son,  who  is  a 
member  of  college,  is  rejoicing  in  the  Saviour.  Dr. 
Fitch  has  given  me  a  short  statement  of  his  appear- 
ance and  manner  of  conversing,  from  which  I  am 
led  to  hope  in  his  case.  I  rejoice,  though  with 
trembling."  * 

The  last  religious  meeting  of  the  students  in  the 
spring  term  of  1812  has  been  mentioned  as  one  of 
uncommon  interest.  The  exciting  scenes  of  the  re- 
vival had  passed  away.  The  strong  ties  of  brother- 
ly affection  which  bound  the  students  to  one  another 
were  about  to  be  sundered.     The  meeting  was  ten- 

*  Eev.  Alvan  Hyde,  Jr.,  was  gi-aduated  at  Williams  College  in  1815, 
and,  after  studying  theology  with  his  father  and  at  Andover,  became  some- 
what distinguished  for  his  successful  labors  among  the  early  churches  in 
northern  Ohio.  He  was  ordained  at  Madison,  Ohio,  Sept.  1,  1819,  and 
died  in  Lee  August  12,  1824,  at  the  age  of  30.  While  living,  he  was  much 
beloved  for  his  consistent  piety,  highly  esteemed  as  a  youthful  preach- 
er, and  unaffectedly  lamented  in  his  earlj'  death. 
6* 


66  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

der  and  interesting  throughout.  Says  one  who  was 
present :  "  It  devolved  on  me  to  preside.  In  se- 
lecting a  hymn  to  close,  my  eye  chanced  to  fall  on 
the  one  beginning,  '  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds.' 
I  had  never  seen  or  heard  it  before.  I  succeeded  in 
reading  it  without  much  faltering.  A  tune  was 
named,  and  singing  commenced.  About  the  third 
verse,  brother  Burt  (the  Rev.  Federal  Burt,  now  in 
heaven),  who  stood  by  my  side,  turned  away  and 
wept  aloud.  The  next  verse  w^as  attempted,  but 
voices  failed.  The  place  became  a  Bochim.  We 
hung  upon  each  other,  and  wept  and  wept,  and  so 
closed  the  meeting,  and  went  to  our  rooms  to  weep 
alone." 

In  the  spring  of  1815,  Dr.  Fitch  concluded  to  re- 
sign the  presidency  of  the  college.  Just  before  he 
left,  a  third  revival  of  religion  commenced.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  weeks  some  fifteen  were  hope- 
fully brought  into  the  kingdom  ;  and  several  others  re- 
ceived very  salutary  impressions,  whose  subsequent 
lives  showed  the  value  of  this  revival  to  them.  Pro- 
fessor Dewey  thinks  that  the  first  indications  of  this 
revival  were  in  connection  with  the  faithful  and 
earnest  preaching  of  President  Fitch,  which  was  at 
this  time  uncommonly  plain  and  pungent.  It  is 
easier  to  trace  the  instrumental  than  the  real  causes 
of  religious  awakenings.  The  real  causes  lie  con- 
cealed deep  in  the  bosom  of  Christian  experience, 
and  we  never  gain  anything  more  than  occasional 
glimpses    of   them.      But   even   the    active    instru- 


EEV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  67 


mentality  of  Dr.  Fitch  in  promoting  the  religious 
interests  of  Williams  College  will  not  be  openly 
and  fully  disclosed  until  that  day  "when  the  Lord 
of  hosts  shall  make  up  his  jewels." 

In  1815  the  late  Dr.  Justin  Edwards  wrote  to 
President  Fitch,  asking  his  opinion  about  an  at- 
tempt that  was  then  to  be  made  to  establish  the 
Monthly  Concert  of  Prayer.  Dr.  Fitch's  reply,  we 
regret  to  say,  we  have  not  been  able  to  obtain.  Dr. 
Edwards — a  former  pupil  of  Dr.  Fitch  —  writes  as 
follows  in  favor  of  a  general  concert  of  prayer,  to 
be '  held  on  the  first  Monday  evening  of  every 
month  :  "  Have  we  not  reason  to  hope,  if  such  a 
union  could  be  formed,  that  light  would  break  forth 
upon  us  as  the  morning,  and  salvation  as  the  noon- 
day ?  "  "  Will  you  have  the  goodness,  dear  sir,  to 
give  us  your  thoughts  on  this  subject,  as  soon  as 
convenient  ?  Should  the  plan  meet  the  views  of 
gentlemen  of  influence  in  the  different  parts  of 
the  country,  measures  will  be  taken  to  extend  the 
information  as  speedily  and  widely  as  possible." 
"  Could  it  be  extended  throughout  the  United 
States,  we  should  then  unite  with  Christians,  not 
only  in  this  country,  but  in  numerous  other  coun- 
tries, in  supplicating  the  greatest  blessing  which 
God  can  bestow." 


CHAPTER   VI. 


DR.   FITCH    RESIGNS    THE     PRESIDENCY ACTION    OF  THE  TRUSTEES 

INSTALLED      AT     WEST     BLOOMFIELD,     N.  T.  HIS    SUCCESSFUL 

3IINISTRT  THERE  —  RESIGNS HIS  DEATH  AND    FUNERAL. 


R.  FITCH  presided  over  Williams  College 
with  a  good  degree  of  ability  and  success, 
twenty-two  years.  And  with  the  exception 
of  Dr.  Manning,  of  Brown  University,  what 
first  President  ever  retained  that  station  for 
so  long  a  period  in  this  country  ?  He  re- 
signed his  office  in  1815,  and  immediately  accepted 
an  invitation,  which  he  had  already  received  from 
the  Congregational  Church  and  Society  in  West 
Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  to  become  their  pastor. 

Why  did  Dr.  Fitch  resign  the  presidency  of  the 
college  ?  There  was  a  concurrence  of  circumstances 
which  led  him  to  do  it.  It  is  well  known  that  dur- 
ing a  few  of  the  last  years  of  his  presidency,  the  in- 
stitution did  not  enjoy  its  usual  degree  of  reputation 
and  prosperity  ;  notwithstanding  Dr.  Fitch  was  aided 
by  experienced  and  able  teachers,  and  had  the  coun- 
sel and  cordial  cooperation  of  a  judicious  and  most 
excellent  prudential  committee.  It  is  enough  to  say 
that  the  late   Dr.  Hyde,  of  Lee,  was  a  prominent 

(68) 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  69 

member  of  this  committee.  Still  Dr.  Fitch  had 
brought  himself  to  believe,  and,  it  would  seem,  others 
were  induced  to  believe,  that  its  isolated  and  seques- 
tered location  presented  an  insuperable  difficulty  or 
hindrance  to  its  growth  and  prosperity. 

This  was  a  leading  argument  which  was  after- 
ward employed,  —  the  one,  by  which  all  the  Trus- 
tees but  three  were  induced  to  vote  to  remove  the 
college  to  Northampton,  provided  the  consent  of  the 
Legislature  could  be  obtained.  But  if  the  location 
of  the  college  was  the  principal  cause  of  its  being  on 
the  wane  during  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Moore,  and 
for  a  few  years  previous,  how  shall  we  account  for 
the  fact  that  notwithstanding  the  many  and  power- 
ful embarrassments  it  has  had  to  encounter  since 
that  time,  it  has  been,  for  years  past,  enjoying  a  very 
high,  and  even  uncommon  degree  of  reputation  and 
prosperity  ?  The  funds  of  the  institution  were  small. 
It  was  difficult  for  Dr.  Fitch  to  provide  the  means  of 
supporting  a  large  and  expensive  family.  Other  col- 
leges had  come  into  existence ;  namely,  Middlebury, 
Burlington,  and  Union.  The  consequence  was,  the 
number  of  students  in  Williams  began  to  decline. 
Dr.  Fitch  could  not  bear  to  see  the  child  of  his  affec- 
tion and  nurture  droop  in  his  hands ;  especially  he 
could  not  endure  the  thought  of  having  the  cause  of 
its  decline  attributed  to  himself.  And  some,  per- 
haps, began  to  feel  that  it  was  desirable  and  expedi- 
ent to  have  a  younger  and  more  popular  man  in  his 
place.     The  time  had  come  when  Dr.  Fitch  thought 


70  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

the  public  good  and  his  own  personal  comfort,  would 
be  promoted  by  his  retirement.  Besides,  it  is  not  to 
be  concealed  that  the  college  had  about  this  time 
to  encounter  an  adverse  influence,  which  no  institu- 
tion of  the  kind  can  ever  meet  and  prosper.  A  cur- 
rent had  begun  to  set  strongly  against  it  in  its  present 
location.  An  influence,  secret  and  open,  was  at 
work  to  effect  the  removal  of  the  college  to  North- 
ampton, or  some  town  in  the  old  County  of  Hamp- 
shire. Nothing  would  satisfy  a  portion  of  the 
community  short  of  removing  the  college  from  the 
beautiful  hills  of  Berkshire  to  the  valley  of  the  Con- 
necticut. The  trustees  were  divided.  The  faculty 
and  many  of  the  students  finally  came  to  be  in  favor 
of  a  removal.  Under  all  these  circumstances,  the 
President  judged  it  expedient  to  resign. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  President  and  Trustees  of 
Williams  College,  held  May  2,  1815,  the  following 
vote  was  unanimously  passed,  and  may  with  propri- 
ety be  here  introduced :  "  Whereas  the  .  Rev. 
President  Fitch  has  signified  to  this  Board  his 
determination  to  resign  his  office  of  President  at  the 
ensuing  commencement;  and  whereas,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  state  of  the  funds,  the  Corporation 
have  not  been  able  to  give  him  such  a  salary  as  his 
situation  and  the  increased  expenses  of  living  for 
years  past  have  required;  therefore  Voted,  That  there 
^  be  granted  to  Rev.  President  Fitch  the  sum  of  twen- 
ty-two hundred  dollars ;  one  thousand  thereof  to  be 
paid  him  in  the  month  of  October  next;  six  hundred 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  71 

thereof  in  six  montiis  from  that  time,  and  the  residue 
in  one  year  from  October  next."  This  sum  was 
cheerfully  paid  to  Dr.  Fitch,  as  a  remuneration  for 
his  long  and  faithful  services  as  President  of  the 
college,  and  was  particularly  gratifying  to  his  feel- 
ings. It  was  esteemed  by  him  an  act  of  generosity, 
while  the  Board  considered  it  an  act  of  justice.  It 
was  both. 

As  a  further  indication  of  the  state  of  public  feel- 
ing on  the  subject  of  the  removal  of  the  college,  we 
here  introduce  a  resolution  which  was  offered  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Packard,  of  Shelburne,  and  adopted  by  the 
Board  at  the  very  meeting  at  which  Dr.  Fitch's  res- 
ignation was  accepted :  "  That  a  committee  of  six 
persons  be  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the 
removal  of  the  college  to  some  other  part  of  the 
Commonwealth  ;  to  make  all  necessary  inquiries 
which  have  a  bearing  on  the  subject,  and  report  at  the 
next  meeting."  It  begins  to  be  more  clearly  mani- 
fest why  Dr.  Fitch  resigned  the  presidency  of  the 
college. 

Dr.  Fitch  was  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in 
West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  in  the  fall  of  1815.  In  re- 
tiring, at  the  age  of  sixty,  from  a  life  of  so  much  care, 
toil,  and  activity,  as  his  had  been,  he  soon  began  to 
feel  and  exhibit  the  enfeebling  effects  of  age.  He 
continued,  however,  to  discharge  the  regular  and 
arduous  duties  of  a  pastor  for  twelve  years.  He 
was  then  constrained,  by  reason  of  age  and  its  con- 
sequent infirmities,  to  withdraw  from  his  stated  pub- 
lic labors  in  the  vineyard  of  his  Lord. 


72  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

Concerning  his  ministry  in  that  place,  Dr.  William 
F.  Sheldon  writes :  "  Dr.  Fitch  was  a  faithful  min- 
ister, instant  in  season  and  out  of  season,  exhorting 
and  warning  all,  both  old  and  young,  to  embrace  the 
gospel.  He  was  remarkably  punctual  in  fulfilling 
all  his  appointments.  Seldom  was  he  absent  from 
the  weekly  prayer-meetings.  Though  advanced  in 
age,  yet  he  never  seemed  to  be  tired  of  coming  a 
mile  and  a  half  to  attend  these  meetings.  For  a 
number  of  years  he  was  likewise  constant  in  attend- 
ing a  Bible  class.  Dr.  Fitch  was  a  successful  minis- 
ter. His  uniform  Christian  conduct  was  a  practical 
illustration  of  his  preaching.  During  his  ministry 
among  us,  we  were  favored  with  some  precious 
seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord. 
His  preaching  was  not  unfrequently  rendered  quick 
and  powerful,  to  the  conversion  of  souls." 

But  the  character  and  results  of  his  ministry  in 
West  Bloomfield  shall  be  given  in  his  own  words. 
On  taking  leave  of  his  people,  Nov.  25,  1827,  he 
delivered  a  farewell  discourse,  which  has  never  be- 
fore been  printed  entire.  We  propose  to  insert  the 
whole  of  it,  —  for  we  are  sure  it  will  be  read  with 
pleasure  and  profit,  —  from  Acts  xx.  32  :  And  now, 
brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of 
his  f^race,  which  is  able  to  build  you  nj),  and  to  give  you 
an  inheritance  among  all  them  luho  are  sanctified. 

"  This  passage  is  a  part  of  St.  Paul's  last  solemn  and  affectionate 
farewell  to  the  elders  of  the  chm-ch  in  Ephesus.     He  had  before 


REV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,   D.  D.  73 

preached  in  that  city  and  vicinity  about  three  years ;  and  gath- 
ered a  large  church  of  Jewish  and  Gentile  converts.  They  re- 
tained a  strong  affection  for  him  as  their  spiritual  father,  and  he 
for  them  as  his  spiritual  children,  whom  he  had  begotten  through 
the  gospel.  Being  now  on  his  last  journey  from  Macedonia  to 
Jerusalem,  previous  to  his  imprisonment,  and  not  having  time  to 
visit  the  Christians  at  Ephesus,  he  sailed  by  the  city  and  landed 
at  Miletus,  a  seaport  town  on  the  coast,  about  thirty  miles  distant. 
Thence  he  sent  and  called  to  him  the  elders  of  the  church  in 
Ephesus,  that  he  might  give  them  his  last  instructions,  counsel, 
and  advice,  and  take  his  leave  of  them ;  for  it  seemed  that  it  had 
been  revealed  to  him  that  he  should  see  them  no  more.  He  ap- 
peals to  them  as  witnesses  of  his  diligence  and  faithfulness  in 
preaching  the  gospel  to  them,  —  how  he  kept  back  nothing  from 
them  that  was  profitable,  but  had  showed  them,  and  taught  them 
publicly,  and  from  house  to  house,  '  testifying  both  to  the  Jews 
and  also  to  the  Greeks  repentance  towards  God  and  faith  towards 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Wherefore,'  said  he,  '  I  take  you  to  re- 
cord this  day,  that  I  am  pure  from  the  blood  of  all  men-,  for  I  have 
not  shunned  to  declare  unto  you  all  the  counsel  of  God.'  '  Take 
heed  therefore,'  said  the  apostle,  '  unto  yourselves  and  to  all  the 
flock,  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  hath  made  you  overseers,  to 
feed  the  church  of  God,  which  he  hath  purchased  with  his  own 
blood.'  Near  the  close  of  this  solemn  farewell  address,  he  intro- 
duced the  words  of  our  text :  '  And  now,  brethren,  I  commend 
you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  which  is  able  to  build 
you  up,  and  to  give  you  an  inheritance  among  all  them  who  are 
sanctified.'  In  improving  these  words  as  a  subject  of  discourse  on 
the  present  occasion,  I  propose  to  consider, 

"  I.  The  import  of  this  apostolic  commendation  of  the  brethren 
'  to  God,  and  the  word  of  his  grace.' 

"  n.  What  is  implied  in  '  building  them  up,'  and  how  this  word 
of  God's  grace  was  able,  by  his  blessing,  to  build  them  up. 

"  And,  HI.  How  it  was  able,  by  the  same  divine  blessing,  to  give 
them  an  inheritance  among  the  sanctified  children  of  God  in  heaven. 
7 


74  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

"  I.  The  import  of  this  apostolic  commendation  of  the  brethren 
'  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace.'  Commending  them  to  God 
was  committing  them  to  his  care,  protection  and  blessing, —  to  the 
guidance  and  direction  of  his  Spirit ;  praying  earnestly  and  fer- 
vently that  God  would  take  them  into  his  own  gracious  arms,  and 
ever  have  them  under  his  own  holy  keeping,  —  that  he  would 
shield  them  from  danger,  from  temptation,  and  from  every  evil,  — 
that  the  banner  of  his  covenant  love  might  always  be  over  them, 
—  and  that  he  would  guide  them  by  his  counsel  tkrough  all  the 
evils,  dangers,  snares,  temptations,  and  troubles  of  this  world,  and 
afterward  bring  them  to  glory.  All  this  is  implied  in  his  com- 
mending them  to  God ;  and  no  doubt  it  was  with  strong  desires 
and  fervent  prayers  that  he  thus  commended  them  to  the  protec- 
tion and  blessing  of  Almighty  God,  their  heavenly  friend,  in  time 
and  forever.  And  so,  if  I  had  the  grace  of  Paul,  would  I,  my 
Christian  brethren  and  friends,  commend  you,  on  this  solemn  oc- 
casion. 

"  He  commended  them  also  to  the  word  of  God's  grace.  Doubt- 
less he  calls  it  the  word  of  God's  grace,  because  it  reveals  a  way 
in  which  sinners  may  be  saved  by  his  unmerited  favor,  through 
the  atoning  sacrifice  of  his  Son,  and  the  renewing  and  sanctifying 
operation  of  his  Spirit ;  —  a  way  in  which  his  grace  is  eminently 
and  wonderfully  displayed  in  the  actual  salvation  of  millions  of 
our  apostate  race.  To  this  pure  and  precious  word  of  God's 
grace  the  apostle  commends  them. 

"  1 .  As  the  sure  and  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice. 
In  this  they  learn  what  they  are  to  believe  and  to  do.  In  this 
the  character  of  grace  is  made  known,  —  a  Saviour  is  revealed,  — 
the  terms  are  plainly  stated  on  which  salvation  may  be  obtained, 
and  the  consequences  of  accepting  or  rejecting  this  Saviour  are 
most  solemnly  disclosed.  Here,  too,  their  duty  to  God  and  their 
duty  to  their  fellow-men  are  most  clearly  stated  and  strongly  en- 
forced. To  this  rule  the  apostle  commended  his  brethren  as  a 
sure  guide  to  sacred  and  correct  principles  and  right  Christian 
practice. 


KEY.  EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D.  7o 

"  2.  He  commended  them  to  the  word  of  God's  grace  as 
the  only  sure  ground  of  the  Christian's  hope.  Without  a  Saviour, 
there  would  be  no  hope  for  a  sinner.  Without  the  shedding  of 
Christ's  blood,  there  could  be  no  remission  of  sin.  AVithout  faith 
in  his  blood,  Christ  to  every  sinner  has  died  in  vain.  Has  any 
sinner  a  good  hope  of  salvation  ?  What  are  the  grounds  of  that 
hope  ?  Has  he  believed  in  Christ  ?  If  he  has,  then  he  has 
repented  of  his  sins,  and  they  are  forgiven.  They  are  all  washed 
away  in  the  Saviour's  atoning  blood.  Christ  has  spoken  peace  to 
his  soul.  He  has  been  renewed  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  There  have 
been  imijlanted  in  his  soul  the  fear  and  love  of  God,  —  a  hatred 
and  renunciation  of  sin,  and  a  principle  of  new  and  holy  obedi- 
ence. A  holy  life  is  the  consequence  of  a  new  heart,  —  a  life  de- 
voted to  the  service  of  God.  Does  the  believing,  hoping  sinner 
desire  to  know  that  he  has  good  grounds  for  his  hope  ?  He  must 
go  to  the  word  of  God,  and  compare  his  heart  and  life  with  this 
rule.  '  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony.'  If  he  finds  the  evidence 
to  be  good  that  he  is  a  child  of  God  and  an  heir  of  heaven,  he 
may  then  hope  '  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.' 

"  3.  The  apostle  commends  his  brethren  to  the  word  of 
God's  gi'ace  as  the  great  source  of  Christian  consolation.  He  who 
has  a  good  hope  that  he  is  a  Christian  may  go  to  the  word  of  God, 
and  appropriate  to  himself  all  '  the  great  and  precious  promises ' 
he  finds  there.  From  these  he  may  drink  in  abundant  consola- 
tion under  his  severest  trials,  and  heaviest  afllictions.  This  well 
of  consolation  is  full  of  living  water.  Christians  can  never  draw 
it  dry.  And  the  language  of  the  Saviour  to  them  is,  '  Drink,  O 
friends,  yea,  drink  abundantly,  O  beloved.'  To  this  '  word  of 
God's  grace,'  then,  on  this  and  on  other  accounts  which  I  have 
not  time  now  to  mention,  I  would,  my  Christian  brethren  and 
friends,  earnestly  and  devoutly  commend  you  all. 

"  II.  What  is  implied  in  building  them  up  ;  and  how  this  word 
of  God's  grace  was  able,  by  his  blessing,  to  build  them  up. 

"  The  church  is  the  building  of  God.  It  is  his  workmanship,  his 
edifice,  his  temple.     He   laid   the   foundation,    which   is    Christ 


76  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

Jesus,  his  Son ;  and  lie  has  fitted,  prepared,  polished,  and  put  into 
this  building  every  stone  of  which  it  is  composed.  This  edifice 
has  been  in  building  almost  six  thousand  yeai-s,  and  is  not  yet 
completed.  Many  more  stones  are  to  be  laid,  before  the  top- 
stone  will  be  brought  forth  with  shouting.  The  word  of  God  is 
the  great  means  or  instrument  which  he  uses  in  carrying  on  his 
work  on  this  building.  In  allusion  to  this,  the  expression  '  build- 
ing up '  and  similar  expressions  are  often  used  in  the  Scriptures, 
and  applied  to  the  church,  oi-  a  body  of  believers.  To  build 
them  up  is  to  establish  them  in  the  belief  and  practice  of  the  gos- 
pel, —  to  make  them  stable,  consistent,  growing  Christians, 
sound  and  steadfast  in  the  faith,  —  not  carried  about  by  every 
wind  of  doctrine,  not  soon  shaken  in  mind  by  dangerous  errors 
and  heresies  that  may  be  propagated  among  them ;  but  firm  and 
unwavering  in  their  belief  of  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
and  able  and  ready,  if  need  be,  '  earnestly  to  contend  for  the  faith 
once  delivered  to  the  saints.'  Building  them  up  implies  also  their 
firm  establishment  in  the  regular,  consistent,  and  uniform  practice 
of  Christian  duties ;  in  a  word,  that  they  may  be  exemplary,  grow- 
ing Christians,  increasing  in  knowledge  and  grace,  and  adorning 
the  holy  religion  they  profess,  both  by  steadfastly  adhering  to  its 
doctrines,  and  uniformly  practising  its  duties.  All  this,  the  word 
of  God,  by  the  enlightening,  quickening,  sanctifying  influence  of 
his  Spirit,  is  able  to  effect,  and  is  the  great  appointed  means  of 
effecting,  in  their  hearts  and  lives.     We  are  to  consider, 

"  III.  How,  or  in  what  sense,  the  word  of  God's  grace  is  able 
also,  through  the  same  divine  influence,  to  give  Christians  at  last 
a  blessed  inheritance  among  the  sanctified  children  of  God  in 
heaven.  The  Psalmist  says,  '  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  con- 
verting the  soul.'  In  the  hands  of  the  Spirit,  it  is  the  means  or  in- 
strument of  the  sinner's  conversion,  and,  in  the  same  way,  the 
means  or  instrument  of  his  progressive  sanctification.  It  is  the 
means  of  his  growth  in  knowledge  and  holiness,  and  of  his  prep- 
aration for  heaven.  God's  word  is  pure,  and  exerts  a  purifying 
influence  on  the  heart.     It  detects  and  exposes  the  secret  sins 


REV.  EBENEZER    FITCU,  D.  D.  77 

which  are  harbored  there.  It  opens  the  fountain  of  indwelling 
corruption,  and  brings  to  light  the  hidden  things  of  darkness. 
It  is  a  refiner  and  a  purifier.  It  is  like  the  fire  and  hammer  to 
break  in  pieces  the  flinty  hearts,  and  cause  godly  sorrow  for  sin  to 
spring  up  there,  and  tears  of  genuine  repentance  to  flow.  It 
strengthens  the  faith  of  the  Christian,  —  even  that  faith  which 
works  by  love  and  purifies  the  heart,  and  works  by  love.  So 
that  the  true  Christian  becomes  strong  in  the  Lord,  and  zealous  to 
do  his  will,  and  prepared  for  every  good  work.  It  brightens  his 
hojje  of  heaven,  and  greatly  increases  his  spiritual  comfort  and 
joys.  Though  all  worldly  comfort  should  fail,  he  can  rejoice  iu 
God  his  Saviour,  even  then.  It  points  to  the  blessed  termination 
of  his  Christian  course,  —  to  the  joys  of  immortality,  —  to  the 
mansions  prepared  for  him  above,  — to  a  seat  at  God's  right  hand, 
—  to  a  crown  and  kingdom  beyond  the  skies.  All  this  the  woi'd 
of  God,  the  aid  and  influence  of  the  blessed  Spirit,  can  do,  and 
does  accomplish  for  the  Christian.  It  is  a  light  to  his  feet  and  a 
lamp  to  his  path,  —  his  guide  to  truth  and  duty,  to  holiness  and 
peace,  to  comfort  and  joy  everlasting.  It  is,  then,  in  the  sense 
that  has  been  explained,  able  to  prepare  him  for,  and  at  last  to 
put  him  in,  the  full  and  blessed  possession  of  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light. 

IMPROVEMENT. 

"  When  a  minister  of  Christ  has  for  several  years  preached  the 
gospel  to  any  church  and  congregation,  it  is  a  solemn  and  affect- 
ing duty  for  him  to  commend  them  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of 
his  grace,  and  take  a  final  leave  of  them.  To  this  duty  I  am  now 
called.  For  more  than  twelve  years  I  have  preached,  in  this 
pulpit,  to  this  church  and  congregation.  It  becomes  me  on  this 
occasion  to  review  my  labors,  and  solemnly  inquire  how  I  have 
preached  to  you.  Have  I  followed  'cunningly  devised  fables,* 
the  opinions  and  errors  of  fallible  men,  since  I  undertook  to  preach 
the  everlasting  gospel  to  you  ?  Have  I  withheld  from  you  any 
important  and  essential  doctrine  of  Scripture,  endeavoring  to  ex- 
plain any  one  away,  by  putting  false  glosses  upon,  or  by  giving 
7* 


78  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

wrong  interpretations  to,  any  portion  of  God's  word  ?  Certainly 
I  have  not  knowingly  and  designedly  done  this ;  but  have  endeav- 
ored, in  this  important  part  of  ministerial  duty,  to  approve  myself 
to  God,  to  my  own  conscience,  and  to  the  conscience  of  every 
enlightened  hearer.  I  have  not  designedly  shunned  to  declare 
unto  you  '  all  the  counsel  of  God ; '  to  exhibit  divine  truth  to 
your  minds,  and  impress  it  upon  your  hearts,  by  all  the  weighty 
motives  suggested  by  reason  and  Scripture ;  to  preach  to  you 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ,  —  the  riches  of  his  wisdom  and 
grace  in  the  plan  of  salvation  through  his  atoning  blood,  and  the 
effectual  operation  of  his  Spirit.  Have  I  forborne  to  set  the  law 
of  God  before  you,  and  to  prove  to  you  that  it  is  a  righteous,  holy, 
and  good  law  V  —  to  bi-ing  to  your  view  the  nature,  extent,  and 
strictness  of  its  requirements,  and  the  awful  penalties  with  which 
it  is  sanctioned  ?  Have  I  ceased  to  show  transgi-essors  their  sin 
and  danger,  —  the  dreadful  doom  that  awaits  them  if  they  do  not 
repent ;  and  to  entreat  and  beseech  them  to  forsake  their  sins, 
repent,  believe  in  Christ,  and  to  be  reconciled  to  God  ?  Have  I 
neglected  to  warn  the  decent  moralist,  the  self-righteous  pharisee, 
and  the  false  professor  ?  —  to  detect  their  sins,  and  to  expose  them 
to  the  view  of  their  own  consciences,  and  if  possible  bring  them  to 
repentance  ?  If,  in  any  or  all  these  cases,  I  have  not  in  some 
good  measure  at  least  discharged  the  duty  of  a  faithful  minister 
of  Christ,  you,  my  hearers,  will  be  swift  witnesses  against  me  when 
we  stand  together  at  the  bar  of  Christ.  Ah !  who  of  us  can  stand 
at  that  bar,  and  bear  the  scrutiny  of  that  solemn  and  decisive 
day  ?  Who  of  us  will  dare  to  appear  there  in  his  own  strength 
and  righteousness,  and  answer  for  his  unnumbered  sins  ?  My 
hearers,  we  are  all  sinners,  great  sinners.  In  every  duty  we 
have  come  short.  Our  best  services  are  stained  with  sinful  imper- 
fections. It  would  be  the  highest  presumption  for  us  to  hope  that 
we  shall  be  acquitted  when  we  stand  at  Christ's  bar,  unless  our 
sins  have  previously  been  washed  away  in  his  atoning  blood,  and 
we  stand  there  clothed  in  the  immaculate  robe  of  his  righteousness. 
I  well  know,  my  hearers,  that  my  poor  services  in  the  sane- 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  79 

tuary  have  in  every  respect  been  defective,  —  defective  in  mat- 
ter and  in  manner.  But  what  I  have  most  to  deplore,  and  to 
be  humble  for  before  God  and  before  you,  is  my  great  want  of 
ardent  love  to  God  and  the  Saviour,  and  to  your  immortal  souls. 
Had  I  felt  more  strongly  the  constraining  influence  of  this  love, 
my  heart  would  have  glowed  with  warmer  zeal  for  the  glory  of 
Grod  in  your  salvation.  I  should  have  judged  more  feelingly  as 
the  apostle  did, '  that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  were  all  dead,'  — 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  and  in  imminent  danger  of  eternal 
death  ;  I  should  have  had  a  more  lively  sense  of  my  great  re- 
sponsibility to  God  and  to  you,  —  of  the  importance  of  greater 
diligence,  zeal,  and  faithfulness  in  my  work,  —  of  the  unspeakable 
worth  of  your  immortal  souls,  and  the  imminent  danger  they  are 
in,  if  you  are  still  impenitent,  of  perishing  forever.  I  should 
have  prayed  for  you  with  more  fervent  importunity,  preached  to 
you  with  more  zeal  and  engagedness,  and  warned  you  more  faith- 
fully and  earnestly  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  and  accept  of 
the  mercy  offered  to  you  in  the  gospel.  This  want  of  greater 
love  to  God  and  to  your  souls  is,  in  my  apprehension,  the  gi'eatest 
sin  and  imperfection  that  has  attended  my  public  services.  Had 
I  always  felt  more  fervent  love,  I  should  doubtless  have  preached 
and  prayed  with  more  zeal  and  engagedness,  and  probably  with 
much  greater  success.  I  pray  God  to  forgive  me  this  sin ;  and  I 
entreat  you  also  to  forgive  it.  And  I  earnestly  beseech  him  not 
to  suffer  any  of  your  souls  to  perish  through  my  want  of  love  to 
him  and  them,  and  fervor  and  faithfulness  in  preaching  Christ  and 
him  crucified  to  you. 

"  But,  my  hearers,  however  imperfect  and  defective  my  manner 
of  preaching  has  been,  I  humbly  trust  in  godly  sincerity  I  have 
preached  to  you  the  plain  truths  and  the  all-important  doctrines 
of  the  gospel ;  truths  and  doctrines  which  I  firmly  believe,  and 
by  which  I  wish  to  live  and  hope  to  die.  And  I  have  endeavored 
to  state  and  explain  these  truths  and  doctrines  in  the  most  plain 
and  intelUgible  manner.  I  came  not  to  you,  my  brethi-en,  '  with 
excellency  of  speech  or  of  wisdom.'  My  aim  has  always  been  to 
use  '  great  plainness  of  speech,'  that  all  might  understand  ;  for 


80  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

how  otherwise  could  they  be  profited  by  preaching  ?  Learned 
disquisitions  and  florid  hai'angues  never  enlighten  and  save  souls. 
It  has  been  my  conscientious  endeavor  to  feed  you  with  the  sin- 
cere milk  of  the  word,  that  you  might  grow  thereby,  —  in  a  word 
to  preach  Christ  and  his  salvation  to  you  in  all  the  simplicity  and 
plainness  of  gospel  truth. 

"  And  now,  my  dear  hearers,  as  I  must  one  day  stand  at  the 
bar  of  Christ,  and  answer  to  him  for  the  truths  I  have  preached 
to  you,  and  the  manner  in  which  I  have  preached  them,  must  you 
not  also  stand  at  the  same  bar,  and  give  an  account  how  you  have 
heard  and  received  these  truths,  and  what  improvement  you  have 
made  of  them  ?  That  will  be  a  solemn  day  to  you  and  to  me. 
Christ  will  be  our  common  Judge ;  and  he  will  judge  us  both 
strictly  and  impartially.  That  I  have  preached  evangelical  truth 
to  you  plainly  and  solemnly,  I  certainly  know.  Have  you  re- 
ceived this  truth  in  faith  and  love  into  humble  and  obedient 
hearts  '?  And  have  you  brought  forth  fruit  in  holy  and  exempla- 
ry lives  ?  Or  have  you  refused  to  receive  and  obey  divine  truth, 
turned  a  deaf  ear  to  it,  and  closed  your  hearts  against  it  ?  Let 
your  consciences  this  day  testify.  They  will  testify  another  day, 
at  the  bar  of  God,  if  they  do  not  now.  This  blessed  gospel, 
truly  and  faithfully  preached,  will  not  be  in  vain.  It  will  bring 
glory  to  his  grace  or  to  his  justice.  It  will  prove  to  be  the  means 
of  your  great  salvation,  or  of  your  greater  and  more  aggravated 
condemnation.  The  apostle  has  assured  you  that  it  will  be  a 
savor  of  life  unto  life,  or  of  death  unto  death,  to  the  souls  of  all 
who  hear  it.  Christ  will  not  come  to  you  by  his  ministers,  and 
call,  invite,  and  entreat  you  to  be  reconciled  to  God  through  his 
blood,  and  call  and  invite  in  vain.  If  you  hear  and  accept  the 
invitation,  your  souls  will  live.  Sjjiritual  and  eternal  life  will  be 
begun  in  you.  But  if  you  refuse  and  reject  the  kind  invitation, 
your  souls  will  die.  They  will  continue  in  a  state  of  spiritual 
death,  and  at  last  sink  into  death  eternal.  When  the  minister  of 
Christ  thinks  of  this,  how  solemn,  how  momentous,  does  his  work 
appear !  With  the  apostle  he  exclaims,  '  Who  is  sufficient  for 
these  things  ?  '     And  you,  my  hearers,  should  think  of  this  when 


KEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  81 

you  hear  the  gospel  preached,  and  hear  for  your  lives ;  remem- 
bering that  you  must  give  an  account  how  you  hear,  —  remem- 
bering that  the  consequences  of  hearing,  receiving,  and  obeying 
the  gospel,  or  of  slighting  or  rejecting  its  gracious  offers,  will  to 
you  individually  be  inconceivably  important  and  eternal.  1  pray 
God  to  give  you  all  a  hearing  ear  and  an  understanding  heart, 
that  you  may  cordially  receive  and  love  the  truth ;  that,  hear- 
ing and  obeying  the  gospel,  your  souls  may  live  and  be  nourished 
up  into  the  words  of  faith  and  of  good  doctrine,  to  life  eternal. 

"  On  this  occasion,  my  Christian  brethren  and  friends  I  think 
it  proper  to  give  you  the  following  brief  account  and  state- 
ment :  — 

"  At  the  time  of  my  installation,  Nov.  29,  1815,  this  church 
consisted  of  forty-eight  members.  Of  these,  four  have  since  died, 
five  have  been  excommunicated,  and  seventeen  dismissed.  One 
has  never  since  been  in  town,  and,  whether  living  or  not,  I  do  not 
know ;  another  has  been  absent  several  years,  —  though  both,  if 
living,  still  retain  their  relation  to  this  church ;  leaving  now  in 
town  only  twenty  of  the  original  members. 

"  Since  my  installation,  one  hundred  and  ninety  persons  have 
been  received  as  members  of  this  clrurch,  —  one  hundred  and 
forty-five  of  them  upon  their  public  profession  of  faith  in  Christ, 
—  one  was  restored,  and  forty-four  were  received  by  letters  of 
recommendation  from  sister  churches.  Of  the  whole  number, 
one -hundred  and  ninety,  received  since  my  installation,  thirteen 
have  died,  four  have  been  excommunicated,  and  sixty-two  regu- 
larly dismissed.  The  whole  number  of  members  now  in  the 
church  is  one  hundred  and  thirty-three ;  twenty  of  these,  how- 
ever, have  removed  so  far  from  this  town  as  not  to  be  able  to 
worshijj  with  us  on  the  Sabbath,  or  to  attend  the  communion  sea- 
sons of  the  church.  During  my  ministry,  fifty-seven  adults  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  children  have  been  baptized.  During  the 
same  time,  two  hundred  and  four  persons  have  died  in  West 
Bloomfield,  being,  on  an  average  of  the  twelve  years  of  my  min- 
istry, seventeen  each  year;  twenty  of  them  have  died  during  a 
little  less  than  eleven  months  of  the  present  year. 


82  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

"  In  reviewing  the  scenes  and  events  of  my  twelve  years'  minis- 
try in  this  place,  I  find  many  things  to  regret  and  deplore  ;  and 
some  which  ought  to  excite  my  warmest  gratitude  and  yours,  and 
call  forth  our  united  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  God.  I  have 
great  reason  to  regret  the  deficiencies  and  imperfections  which 
have  attended  my  public  services ;  and  my  want  of  more  zeal, 
fervor,  and  faithfulness  in  discharging  the  various  and  important 
duties  of  the  pastoral  and  ministerial  office ;  and  that  so  little  suc- 
cess has  attended  my  labors.  For  my  own  sinful  deficiencies  I 
ought  to  be  humbled,  and  I  desire  to  be  humbled,  before  God  and 
before  you. 

"  I  see  reason,  also,  to  deplore  some  events  which  have  taken 
place  in  this  society  ;  in  particular  and  especially  the  introduction 
and  prevalence  of  an  unscriptural  oi^inion  and  dangerous  error 
respecting  a  most  important  point  of  doctrine,  —  the  real  divinity 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  This  opinion  supposes  him  to  be  an 
inferior,  subordinate,  and  dependent  God,  deprives  him  of  his 
real  divinity,  and  degrades  him  to  the  rank  of  a  creature.  It,  of 
course,  destroys  his  atonement,  and  leaves  the  perishing  sinner 
without  help  or  hope.  By  the  introduction  and  prevalence  of 
this  heresy,  and  by  the  death  or  removal  of  a  number  of  able 
members  of  the  church  and  congregation,  the  ability  of  the  socie- 
ty to  supjDort  the  gospel  is  materially  diminished.  If,  however, 
they  will  be  united  and  engaged  in  this  important  enterprise, 
there  is  still  ability  in  the  society  to  provide  a  competent  support 
for  a  minister  of  Christ,  without  feeling  it  to  be  a  burden.  And 
it  is  my  earnest  desire  and  prayer,  my  Christian  friends,  that  you 
will  unitedly  engage  in  this  highly  important  concern. 

"  During  my  ministry,  God  has  not  wholly  withheld  from  us 
the  blessed  influences  of  his  Spirit.  At  two  seasons,  especially, 
the  Spirit  descended  upon  us  like  rain,  and  converts  sprang  up, 
as  willows  by  the  water-courses.  This  —  the  greatest  of  all  bless- 
ings—  should  awaken  and  excite  our  warmest  gratitude  and 
praise  to  God.  I  see  in  this  congregation  some  of  the  spiritual 
children  which  God  graciously  gave  me  as  the  fruits  of  my  min- 
istry ;  and  they  will  ever  be  dear  to  my  heart. 


REV.  EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D.  83 

"  During  my  labors  in  this  place,  T  and  my  family  have  received 
from  you,  my  brethren  and  friends,  many  tokens  of  friendship, 
and  deeds  of  kindness  and  liberality ;  for  all  which  we  return  you 
our  united  and  cordial  thanks.  What  is  done  to  the  least  of 
Christ's  servants,  out  of  love  to  him,  he  considers  as  done  to  him- 
self, and  will  not  fail  to  reward  it.  May  he  reward  you,  for  all 
your  kindness  and  liberality  to  us,  a  thousand  fold. 

"  And  now,  dear  brethren  and  friends,  I  must  take  my  leave  of 
you.  And  I  do  earnestly  and  fervently  commend  you  to  God, 
to  his  care,  protection,  and  blessing,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
which  is  able  to  build  you  up  in  the  holy  faith  and  practice  of  the 
gospel,  and  at  last  give  you  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  un- 
defiled,  among  all  his  redeemed  and  sanctified  children,  in  his 
eternal,  heavenly  kingdom.     Amen." 

After  his  dismission,  Dr.  Fitch  continued  to 
preach  occasionally  till  within  a  short  time  of  his 
decease.  In  the  summer  of  1828,  then  in  the  seven- 
ty-second year  of  his  age,  in  company  with  his  wife, 
he  visited  New  England.  He  called  at  Williams- 
town  ;  then  proceeded  as  far  east  as  Boston ;  and 
took  Canterbury,  Norwich,  and  New  Haven  in  his 
way,  on  his  return  home.  It  was  his  last  visit  to 
the  scenes  of  his  childhood  and  principal  labors,  and 
was  a  source  of  much  satisfaction  to  him  during  the 
remainder  of  his  days.* 

*  The  following  letter,  from  his  Honor  Lieut.  Governor  Childs,  is  in- 
serted with  pleasure,  and  will  be  read  with  interest :  — 

"Boston,  Feb.  11,  1843. 

"  Bev.  and  Dear  Sir :  —  It  gave  me  great  pleasure  to  learn  that  you  had 

prepared  for  publication  a  sketch  of  the  life  and  character  of  the  good  Dr. 

Fitch,  —  the  venerable  instructor  of  my  youth.    It  gave  me  a  melancholy 

pleasure  to  meet  him,  in  the  fall  of  1828,  at  that  advanced  period  of  life 


84  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

Abating  the  ordinary  infirmities  of  age,  and  an 
injury  of  his  foot,  received  in  1824,  by  which  he 
was  lamed,  he  continued  to  enjoy  a  good  degree  of 
health  and  activity  of  body,  for  a  man  of  his  years, 
until  within  a  few  months  of  his  death.  He  had 
been,  at  times,  troubled  with  an  asthmatic  affection, 
but  was  able  to  ride  and  walk  out.  His  breathing 
was  at  times  laborious,  and,  when  reclining,  was 
painfully  so.  When  sitting  or  walking,  he  was  com- 
fortable. His  appetite  for  food  was  good ;  and  he 
continued  to  enjoy  the  society  of  his  friends  as 
much  as  ever.  At  times  he  expressed  doubts  as  to 
his  continuing  long  in  life ;  still  he  evidently  did  not 
anticipate    a   sudden    departure    from    this   world. 


when  of  necessity  the  powers  of  body  and  mind  were  gradually  failing. 
He  seemed,  however,  cheerful  and  pleasant,  and  was  very  happy  in  meet- 
ing some  of  his  former  pupils  and  friends.  He  evidently  felt  that  he  had 
nearly  finished  his  course  on  earth.  He  exhibited,  however,  a  calm  resig- 
nation to  the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father,  and  expressed  a  confident  hope 
of  a  glorious  immortality.  This  strong  hope  gave  unusual  brightness  to 
a  face  naturally  beaming  with  kindness  and  benignity.  I  well  recollect 
the  deep  impression,  which  his  visit  left  upon  my  mind,  that  I  should  see 
his  face  no  more.  It  was  his  last  visit  to  Berkshire.  His  friends  were  all 
happj'  to  see  him  again,  and  he  apparently  received  much  comfort  and 
joy  in  their  society.  Much  of  his  conversation  related  to  occurrences  of 
by-gone  days,  the  mention  of  which  interested  and  animated  him  much. 
As  a  token  of  the  respect  which  we  entertained  for  our  venerable  Presi- 
dent, a  few  friends  in  Fittsfield  presented  him  with  some  mementos  of 
their  esteem,  which  he  kindly  and  gratefully  received,  and  which  con- 
sisted of  a  suit  of  clothes,  and  something  over  a  hundred  dollars  in 
money.  Permit  me  again  to  express  my  high  gratification  that  you  have 
prepared  for  the  press  a  work  which  will  perpetuate  the  memory  of  a 
great  and  good  man.    Please  accept  my  kindest  regards. 

"  With  much  respect,  yours  truly,  H.  H.  CHILD  S." 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  85 

Hence  he  arranged  nothing  as  to  his  family  or  ef- 
fects. During  all  this  time  his  mind  was  tranquil, 
and  evidently  much  upon  those  things  which  are 
unseen  and  eternal.  His  confidence  in  the  wisdom 
and  rectitude  of  God's  dispensations  appeared  to 
be  strong  and  consoling.  In  this  state  of  health 
and  happy  frame  of  mind  he  continued  until  Thurs- 
day, March  21st,  1833.  On  the  morning  of  that  day 
no  material  alteration  was  discovered.  He  appeared 
much  as  usual.  At  noon  he  took  some  light  refresh- 
ment in  his  room,  instead  of  dining  with  the  family 
as  he  had  usually  done.  After  dinner,  on  the  return 
of  his  wife,  he  observed  that  he  should  like  to  lie 
down,  as  he  felt  that  he  could  get  some  rest.  With 
a  very  little  assistance  he  walked  to  the  bed,  and 
laid  himself  down.  As  Mrs.  Fitch  was  drawing  the 
clothes  about  his  feet,  she  cast  her  eyes  upon  him, 
and  perceived  that  he  had  risen  upon  his  elbows, 
and  was  struggling  for  breath.  She  exclaimed, 
"  You  breathe  very  hard."  Receiving  no  answer,  she 
hastened  to  summon  the  family  together,  —  in  time 
only  to  see  him  gasp  two  or  three  times,  and  all  was 
over.     Thus  suddenly  closed  a  long  and  useful  life. 

"  It  is  blessed  to  go  when  so  ready  to  die." 

He  died  about  the  same  age  of  his  father,  —  nearly 
seventy-seven  —  without  a  groan ;  or  rather  fell 
asleep,  serenely  closing  his  eyes  upon  this  world  of 
sin  and  vanity,  where  there  is  little  more  than  the 
joys  of  union  and  the  tears  of  separation. 


86  REV.   EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

"  At  noon-day  came  the  cry,  — 
'  To  meet  thy  God  prepare ; ' 
He  heard,  and  caught  his  Captain's  eye,  — 
Then  strong  in  faith  and  prayer, 

"  His  spirit,  with  a  bound, 
Left  its  encumbering  clay ; 
His  tent  at  sunset  on  the  ground 
A  darkened  ruin  lay. 

"  The  pains  of  death  are  past. 
Labor  and  sorrow  cease ; 
And,  life's  long  warfare  closed  at  last, 
His  soul  is  found  in  peace." 

The  next  Lord's  day  his  remains  were  conveyed 
to  the  church,  where  he  had  so  often  and  so  faith- 
fully held  forth  the  word  of  life ;    and  where  an  im- 
pressive and  appropriate  discourse  was  delivered  to 
a   crowded    assembly,  by   the    Rev.   Julius    Steele. 
The  sermon  was  not  published.     From  the  manu- 
script copy  in  our  possession,  we  make  the  follow- 
ing extract.     It  was  founded  on   Romans  viii.  28  : 
And  we  know  that  all  things  work  together  for  good 
to  them  that  love   God.     "  Dr.  Fitch  was  a  man  of 
solid  science  and  varied  literature.     He  was  a  man 
of  great  native  mildness  and  amiableness  of  dispo- 
sition.    As  a  scholar,  he  ranked  with  the  first  of  his 
age  in  this  country.     As  a  companion,  he  was  easy, 
affable,  and  winning.     As  a  teacher  of  youth,  the 
hundreds  in  our  land  to  whom  he  imparted  instruc- 
tion are  his  memorial ;    and  through  whom,  '  he  be- 
ing dead,  yet  speaketh.'    As  a  Christian,  he  was  pro- 
verbially  meek  [and   humble.      As   a   minister,  he 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  87 

seemed  ever  mindful  of  the  apostolic  injunction, 
'  not  to  think  of  himself  more  highly  than  he  ought  to 
think.'  His  error,  if  error  it  can  be  called,  consisted 
in  his  undervaluing  himself  as  a  minister  of  Christ. 
His  praise  is  in  all  the  churches  around  us,  and  rose 
as  his  sun  of  life  declined.  As  a  co-presbyter,  we 
loved  him  as  a  brother,  and  venerated  him  as  a 
father.     We  all  loved  Father  Fitch." 

"  As  a  writer.  Dr.  Fitch  ranked  high.  He  was 
classical  and  perspicuous.  As  a  reasoner,  he  was 
consecutive,  pertinent,  and  accurate.  Possessed  of 
fine  and  tender  feelings  himself,  he  seemed  ever 
most  unwilling  to  utter  that  which  would  unneces- 
sarily wound  the  feelings  of  his  hearers.  He  was 
eminently  a  son  of  consolation.  Those  most  edified 
by  his  preaching  were  the  more  intelligent  and  cul- 
tivated part  of  the  community.  His  manner  of  life 
previous  to  his  becoming  a  settled  pastor  inclined 
him  to  aim  more  at  benefiting  his  hearers  through 
the  understanding  than  to  influence  and  affect  them 
by  addressing  the  passions.  He  was  no  blustering 
declaimer.  In  plainness  and  gospel  simplicity,  he 
reasoned  concerning  '  righteousness,  temperance, 
and  judgment  to  come.'  He  dwelt  much  upon 
'Christ  and  him  crucified,'  —  upon  the  marvellous 
love  of  God  to  man  in  that  unspeakable  gift.  And 
as  he  taught  so  he  practised.  He  exemplified  the 
benevolence  of  the  gospel  in  a  high  degree. 

"  It  may  be  expected  that  I  should  speak  of  him 
as  the  husband  of  one  wife,  and  the  father  of  a 


OO  KEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

family.  Incompetent  as  I  feel  myself  to  be  to  de- 
lineate any  part  of  the  life  and  character  of  this 
good  man,  1  am  entirely  incapable  of  doing  any- 
thing like  justice  when  I  come  to  speak  of  him  in 
Jthe  private  walks  of  life.  '  A  kinder  husband,'  said 
his  bereaved  and  mourning  consort,  as  we  stood 
bending  over  the  cold  remains  of  departed  worth,  '  a 
kinder  husband  the  world  never  furnished,  woman 
never  had.'  The  nearest  and  dearest  relations  of  life 
he  sustained,  I  had  almost  said,  without  a  fault.  In 
all  his  domestic  relations  he  seemed  to  be  blameless. 
Happy  are  they  above  most,  who  can  call  such  a 
man  either  husband  or  father.  Few  had  more 
friends,  and  more  deservedly.  Confidence  he  never 
betrayed.  With  the  feelings  or  reputation  of  a 
neighbor  he  never  trifled.  To  the  best  his  house 
could  furnish,  those  who  called  upon  him  always 
received  a  hearty  welcome.  Many  are  his  debtors. 
He  lived  to  do  good.  He  lived  on  the  promised  re- 
ward of  the  saints  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 
The  good  man's  labors  are  now  ended.  His  trials 
are  now  over.  He  now  sleeps  in  death.  Last 
Thursday,  not  at  midnight,  but  at  mid-day,  the  cry 
was  heard,  '  Behold,  the  bridegroom  cometh.'  Our 
departed  friend  hastened  and  delayed  not  to  obey  the 
call.  He  was  all  ready  to  obey  so  hasty  a  sum- 
mons. He  arose  from  his  seat,  retired  to  his 
sleeping-room,  laid  himself  down,  and  as  soon  as 
words  can  relate,  slept  in  death's  cold  embrace,  not 
to   awake    again    '  till    the    heavens   be    no    more.' 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  89 

Mourning  friends,  the  good,  the  great,  the  amiable 
man,  the  valued  neighbor,  the  tried  and  faithful 
friend,  the  fond  husband,  endeared  by  a  thousand 
kind  offices,  the  affectionate  and  tender  father,  the 
learned,  pious,  and  estimable  minister,  is  no  more  on 
earth.  From  all  the  fond  and  long-cherished  en- 
dearments below,  death  has  suddenly  and  forever 
removed  him.  Of  all  earthly  scenes  he  has  taken 
a  last,  a  long  farewell,  and  gone  up  to  that  rest 
which  'remaineth  to  the  people  of  God.'" 

On  a  monument  erected  over  his  grave  was 
the  following  inscription :  "  In  memory  of  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Fitch,  D.  D.,  who  was  born  in  Canterbury, 
Ct.,  1756;  graduated  at  Yale  College,  1777;  tutor 
in  the  same  about  8  years ;  President  of  Williams 
College  22  years ;  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  West 
Bloomfield  12  years.  He  died  March  21, 1833,  aged 
76  years.  The  righteous  shall  be  in  everlasting  re- 
membrance." 

Mrs.  Fitch  died  in  the  family  of  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Folsom,  at  Cleveland,  O.,  Nov.  21,  1834.  Her 
death  was  peaceful  and  triumphant.  She  lived  and 
died  in  the  faith  and  hope  of  the  gospel. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

DE.  fitch's   visit  TO  EUKOPE  —  THE   LOSS  OF   HIS   MANUSCRIPTS  — 

HIS      PUBLICATIONS  —  LETTERS      FROM      PRESIDENT    DAT FROM 

JAMES  W.  ROBBINS,  ESQ. FROM    REV.  DR.  JOHN    NELSON FROM 

REV.  DR.  JOHN  WOODBRIDGE JUDGE  PAIGE'S  REMARKS  RESPECT- 
ING HIM HIS  PERSONAL  APPEARANCE BRYANT'S  RECOLLECTION 

OP    HIM HIS    CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER HIS    NATIVE    POWERS 

DR.  FITCH  AS  PRESIDENT — AS  A  PREACHER  —  A  FRIEND  OF  GEN- 
ERAL EDUCATION — A  LOVER  OF  GOOD  MEN — UNEXPECTED  RE- 
LIEF FROM  G.  H.  BACKUS — HIS  INDUSTRY — HIS  SUPPORT  UNDER 
TRIALS — DR.  FITCH  AS  A  FATHER,  COMPANION,  AND  FRIEND  — 
HIS  MONUMENT  AT  WILLIAMSTOWN HON.  JUDGE  BISHOp's  RE- 
MARKS AT  THE  RE-INTERMENT  OF  HIS  REMAINS  —  DE.  FITCH'S 
BACCALAUREATE  DISCOURSE  IN  1799 — DE.  FITCH'S  MISSIONARY 
DISCOURSE  IN  1814. 


HILE  President  Fitch  was  in  Europe,  he 
traced  the  origin  and  history  of  his  ancestors 
back  through  many  generations ;  besides,  he 
always  kept  an  exact  account  of  all  the 
branches  of  his  family  settled  in  this  country. 
After  his  decease,  all  his  manuscripts  fell 
into  the  hands  of  his  son,  the  Rev.  C.  Fitch, 
whose  house  with  its  contents  was  soon  after  con- 
sumed by  fire.  His  cotemporaries,  like  himself,  have 
nearly  all  passed  away  in  the  lapse  of  eighty-six 
years ;  so  that  very  general  incidents  of  his  life  only 

(90) 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  91 

can  now  be  recovered  from  oblivion.  This  state- 
ment is  made  with  a  view  to  anticipate  and  obviate 
an  objection  to  which  this  sketch  of  the  life  of  Dr. 
Fitch  is  liable,  from  its  deficiency  in  minute  informa- 
tion, and  in  a  discriminating  estimate  of  his  charac- 
ter. And  in  this  connection  it  may  with  propriety 
be  stated  that  he  rarely  published  any  of  the  pro- 
ductions of  his  pen.  A  historical  sketch  of  Col. 
Ephraim  Williams  and  of  Williams  College,  pub- 
lished in  the  Mass.  Historical  Collections,  in  1802 ; 
a  Baccalaureate  Discourse  in  1799  ;  a  funeral  dis- 
course in  1812 ;  and  a  missionary  sermon  at  Hud- 
son, N.  Y.,  in  1814,  include  all  his  publications  of 
which  we  have  any  knowledge.  From  a  few  scat- 
tered and  necessarily  imperfect  sources  must  now  be 
obtained  all  our  information  respecting  this  truly  ex- 
cellent man. 

After  the  brief  general  survey  which  has  now  been 
taken  of  the  more  prominent  events  of  his  life,  we 
would  attempt,  as  a  service  due  to  his  memory  and 
friends,  to  add  something  more  respecting  his  man- 
ner of  life,  and  his  qualifications  for  those  important 
spheres  in  which  he  was  called  to  move.  Instead  of 
a  full-drawn  portrait  of  his  character,  however,  we 
are  able  to  present  only  an  imperfect  outline. 

Our  readers  will  be  able  to  form  some  general 
estimate  of  Dr.  Fitch's  character  from  what  is  con- 
tained in  the  following  letters,  which  we  here  intro- 
duce with  much  pleasure. 

The  first  is  from  the  Rev.  President  Day,  of  Yale 


92  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

College.  —  "  My  particular  acquaintance  with  Presi- 
dent Fitch  was  of  short  continuance,  while  1  was  a 
tutor  in  Williams  College  in  the  years  1797  and  1798. 
The  institution  had  then  been  in  operation  but  a  few 
years,  yet  it  was  rapidly  advancing,  under  the  active 
and  successful  superintendence  of  Dr.  Fitch.  At  that 
early  period  there  were  not  very  frequent  calls  for  stern 
and  vigorous  discipline.  The  President  was  vigilant 
and  faithful,  and  enjoyed  the  confidence  and  cordial 
co-operation  of  the  subordinate  instructors.  He  was 
endeared  to  the  students  by  his  affectionate  regard 
for  their  best  interests,  and  his  self-denying  labors 
for  their  welfare.  In  the  common  intercourse  of  so- 
ciety, he  was  social,  instructive  and  benevolent.  He 
was  unwearied  in  his  endeavors  to  promote  the  wel- 
fare of  those  within  the  reach  of  his  influence.  I 
considered  him  a  man  of  sincere  and  stable  piety. 
I  rarely  heard  him  preach.  His  discourses,  so  far  as 
I  had  the  means  of  knowing,  were  sound,  practical 
compositions,  without  an  affectation  of  profound  re- 
search, or  refined  metaphysical  speculation.  He 
appeared  to  aim  to  be  practically  useful,  rather  than 
to  make  a  display  of  profound  and  original  powers 
of  investigation.  In  the  endearments  of  domestic 
life  he  was  distinguished  for  affectionate  kindness, 
and  assiduous  attention  to  the  wants  and  wishes  of 
his  family." 

The  next  is  from  James  W.  Robbins,  Esq.,  who 
was  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1802.  —  "I 
spent  near  seven  years  in  Williamstown  while  Dr. 


EEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  93 

Fitch  was  president,  and  a  part  of  the  time  boarded 
in  his  family.  During  more  than  thirty  years,  which 
have  since  elapsed,  the  acquaintance  which  I  have 
had  an  opportunity  to  form  with  other  men,  has  not 
lessened  the  estimate  which  I  then  entertained  of 
his  character.  Perhaps  the  most  prominent  qualities 
of  his  heart  and  disposition  were  purity  and  benevo- 
lence. As  a  natural  consequence  of  the  purity  of 
his  own  intentions,  he  was  very  seldom  suspicious 
of  others ;  and  his  benevolent  feelings  were  awak- 
ened whenever  an  object  was  presented  adapted  to 
their  excitement;  and  his  benevolence,  when  carried 
out  in  acts  of  kindness  and  charity,  was  limited  only 
by  the  extent  of  his  ability.  As  a  scholar,  his  liter- 
ary acquirements  were  highly  respectable.  His 
official  duties  in  connection  with  college,  and  the 
many  cares  necessarily  incident  to  the  management 
of  a  numerous  and  dependent  family,  did  not  leave 
him  sufficient  leisure  for  extensive  scientific  investi- 
gations, or  for  becoming  acquainted  with  the  whole 
circle  of  general  literature.  As  a  teacher,  he  was 
faithful  and  communicative  ;  and  those  students  who 
were  instructed  by  him  during  their  senior  year,  will 
never  forget  the  ability  and  interest  Avith  which  he 
explained  and  illustrated  the  writings  of  Locke,  Paley, 
and  Vattel.  As  a  Christian,  he  was  sincere  and  de- 
vout; desirous  of  knowing  his  duty,  and,  when 
ascertained,  was  ready,  beyond  most  men,  to  perform 
it.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  more  instructive  than  im- 
pressive, but  none  could  faithfully  listen  to  his  ser- 


94  EEV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

mons  without  improvement.  Dr.  Fitch  labored 
assiduously  for  the  interest  of  the  college  over  which 
he  was  called  to  preside,  and  for  the  moral  and  intel- 
lectual improvement  of  the  young  men  who  resorted 
to  that  institution." 

"  I  shall  never  forget,"  writes  the  Rev.  John  Nel- 
son, of  Leicester,  who  was  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  1807,  "the  first  interview  which  I  had 
with  the  venerable  President  Fitch.  I  entered  col- 
lege young  and  inexperienced,  and  with  an  over- 
powering dread  of  so  high  a  dignitary  as  I  then  sup- 
posed the  president  of  a  college  must  be.  It  was 
with  a  trembling  step  that  I  entered  the  study  of  Dr. 
Fitch  with  my  credentials  in  hand ;  but  there  was 
something  so  kind,  so  cordial,  so  fatherly  in  his  greet- 
ings, that  my  heart  went  forth  to  him  at  once  as  to 
a  guardian  friend  in  whom  I  could  safely  trust.  Nor 
did  I  ever  find  anything  in  the  spirit,  the  conduct,  or 
the  bearing  of  my  venerated  President,  which  weak- 
ened, or  in  any  way  effaced  those  early  impressions. 
On  the  contrary,  while  he  faithfully  maintained  the 
discipline  of  college,  I  ever  found  him  ready  to  ex- 
tend to  all  both  the  care  and  kindness  of  an  affec- 
tionate guardian  and  friend.  But  I  did  not  fully 
appreciate  the  domestic,  the  social,  and  the  Christian, 
as  well  as  the  official  excellences  of  Dr.  Fitch,  till 
at  a  subsequent  period  I  became  more  intimately 
associated  with  him  as  a  member  of  the  college  fac- 
ulty, and  a  boarder  in  his  family.  During  the  two 
years  in  which  I  sustained  these  relations  to  him,  I 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  95 

was  more  and  more  impressed  with  the  rare  virtues 
and  excellences  which  composed  his  character.  His 
attachment  and  kindness  to  his  numerous  family  I 
found  to  be  almost  unexampled.  His  benevolence 
to  the  poor  and  suffering  flowed  forth  in  one  contin- 
ued stream.  His  hospitality  seemed  to  be  unbounded 
Christian  hospitality.  His  intercourse  with  his  friends 
was  free,  cheerful,  and  yet  characterized  by  an  all- 
pervading  spirit  of  piety.  As  the  head  of  a  college, 
Dr.  Fitch  was  diligent,  faithful  and  efficient.  As  an 
instructor,  he  was  clear,  safe,  and,  to  a  good  degree, 
able.  As  a  preacher,  he  was  profitable  and  interest- 
ing, and  sometimes  powerful.  As  a  Christian,  he 
caused  his  light  to  shine  brightly  and  uniformly. 
Had  he  been  less  modest,  less  retiring,  less  at  home, 
his  reputation,  no  doubt,  would  have  stood  much 
higher.  Had  he  gone  abroad,  and  appeared  before 
the  public  like  many  other  distinguished  men  of  his 
time,  his  name  would  have  had  a  high  place  among 
theirs." 

"  Concerning  President  Fitch,"  the  venerable  Dr. 
John  Woodbridge  writes :  "  I  have  only  to  say  he 
was  truly  an  estimable  man,  and  was  a  great  bene- 
factor to  the  college  in  the  early  period  of  its  histo- 
ry. He  was  an  excellent  scholar  in  the  various  de- 
partments of  classical  learning.  To  those  who  de- 
sired it,  he  taught  Hebrew  and  French,  as  I  was 
told,  with  a  good  degree  of  thoroughness ;  and  he 
appeared  ever  desirous  of  doing  all  in  his  power  to 
promote  the  respectability  and  usefulness  of  his  pu- 


96  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

pils.  His  paternal  eye  was  on  them  while  in  col- 
lege, and  followed  them,  I  cannot  doubt,  with  lively 
solicitude,  after  they  had  been  withdrawn  from  his 
special  care  into  the  various  walks  of  public  life.  I 
knew  him  only  as  the  presiding  officer  and  teacher ; 
but  I  could  bear  witness  to  the  kindness  of  his  heart 
when  I  was  in  trouble  and  needed  his  sympathy  and 
advice.  For  his  counsel  and  encouragement,  given 
in  my  early  years,  I  owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude. 
In  my  review  of  early  days,  Dr.  Fitch  is  one  of 
those  individuals  whose  character  brightens  by  the 
reflections  of  the  past.  He  had  a  mild,  dark  eye, 
and  a  countenance  beaming  with  goodness.  In  the 
various  relations  of  life  he  was,  I  am  sure,  a  pattern 
of  kindness  and  fidelity.  His  orthodoxy  was 
straight-forward  and  explicit,  like  his  own  honest 
and  noble  soul.  If  he  had  any  fault  as  a  teacher 
and  disciplinarian,  it  was  the  excess  of  lenity,  more 
than  needless  severity.  He  was,  perhaps,  sometimes 
too  irresolute  and  wavering  for  the  full  maintenance 
of  his  authority.  His  menace  might  have  been 
sometimes  more  terrible  than  the  execution.  He 
might  in  some  cases  have  entreated  when  a  com- 
mand was  necessary.  He  might  occasionally  have 
wept,  when  he  ought  to  have  inflicted  punishment. 
J  This,  at  least,  was  said  by  some  not  very  friendly  to 
his  administration.  The  location  of  the  college  at 
that  time,  and  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
country,  placed  him  under  circumstances  of  disad- 
vantage and  discouragement.     These  disadvantages 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  97 

do  not  now  exist.  Yet  he  did  a  great  work  for 
learning  and  religion  in  his  day,  and  helped  to  lay 
broad  and  deep  foundations  for  coming  ages.  Peace 
to  his  memory ;  and  may  the  blessing  of  God  de- 
scend upon  the  institution  he  loved,  in  answer  to  his 
many  prayers. 

"  The  information  I  can  give  concerning  him  can 
be  of  little  consequence  in  his  biography.  I  remem- 
ber him  as  if  I  had  seen  him  yesterday ;  and  yet  I 
cannot  paint  the  impression  he  made  upon  my 
youthful  mind." 

In  his  excellent  address  before  the  Society  of 
Alumni,  in  1862,  the  Hon.  A.  C.  Paige  drops  the 
passing  remark :  "  Our  respected  President  (Dr. 
Fitch),  whose  learning  was  only  equalled  by  his 
spotless  virtue,  and  who  was  as  conspicuous  for 
his  piety  as  for  his  guileless  simplicity,  has  long 
since  been  lifted  up  among  the  sons  of  light." 

•  "  Peace  to  the  just  man's  memory,  —  let  it  gi'ow 

Greener  with  years,  and  blossom  through  the  flight 

Of  ages;  let  the  mimic  canvas  show 

His  calm,  benevolent  features ;  let  the  light 

Stream  on  his  deeds  of  love,  that  shunned  the  sight 

Of  all  but  heaven,  and,  in  the  book  of  fame, 

The  glorious  record  of  his  virtues  write, 

And  hold  it  up  to  men,  and  bid  them  claim 

A  palm  like  his,  and  catch  from  him  the  hallowed  flame." 

In  the  following  general  summary  respecting  Dr. 
Fitch,  we  shall  aim  to  keep  in  mind  the  venerable 
maxim,  "  i)(2  mortuis  nil,,  nisi  bonuin  ;^^    and  at  the 

9 


98  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

same  time  not  to  give  any  overdrawn  statement  of 
his  good  qualities. 

In  personal  appearance,  Dr.  Fitch  was  rather  be- 
low than  above  the  middling  stature.  "  His  coun- 
tenance was  grave,  but  rather  pleasant  than  austere. 
His  appearance  and  deportment  were  always  gen- 
tlemanly and  dignified ;  though  sometimes,  through 
his  great  modesty,  not  marked  with  perfect  ease  and 
elegance."  His  personal  appearance  was  certainly 
much  in  his  favor. 

"  "While  I  was  a  member  of  Williams  College," 
writes  the  poet  Bryant,  "  Dr.  Fitch  was  President, 
and  instructor  of  the  senior  class.  I  have  a  vivid 
recollection  of  his  personal  appearance,  —  a  square- 
built  man,  of  dark  complexion,  and  black,  arched 
eyebrows.  To  me  his  manner  was  kind  and  cour- 
teous, and  I  remember  it  with  pleasure."  He  was 
a  man  of  good  presence  and  comeliness ;  combining 
dignity  with  cheerfulness. 

"  Dr.  Fitch,"  says  Professor  Dewey,  "  was  a  man 
of  fine  personal  appearance,  of  rather  courtly  man- 
ners, and  dignified  carriage." 

As  a  Christian,  Dr  Fitch  was  sincere,  devout, 
consistent,  and  uniform.  He  aimed  to  keep  his 
heart  with  all  diligence,  and  adorn  the  doctrine  of 
God  his  Saviour  in  all  things.  It  is  the  united  tes- 
timony of  those  who  knew  him  best,  that  he  was 
remarkably  exemplary  as  a  Christian.  No  one  could 
be  long  in  his  society,  says  a  competent  judge,  with- 
out perceiving  that  his  mind  was  strongly  imbued 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  99 

with  religious  feeling.  He  was  evidently  a  Christian 
of  a  high  order.  He  was  not  without  a  share  of 
those  failings  which  are  common  to  fallen  man. 

''  But  e'en  his  failings  leaned  to  virtue's  side." 

"  In  my  early  years,"  writes  Mrs.  S.,  "  I  was  deep- 
ly impressed  with  the  consistency  and  perfection  of 
his  Christian  character;  ever  displaying,  as  he  did, 
the  most  entire  and  childlike  submission  to  the  will 
of  his  heavenly  Father.  Indeed,  whenever  I  have 
endeavored  to  conceive  of  a  person  fully  under  the 
influence,  and  moulded  by  the  pure  and  ennobling 
principles  of  the  gospel,  my  mind  involuntarily  re- 
curs to  Father  Fitch  as  affording  a  lovely  exemplifi- 
cation." 

Dr.  Fitch  possessed  native  powers  of  mind  of  a 
high,  if  not  of  a  preeminent  order.  They  were 
characterized  by  solid  strength,  rather  than  brillian- 
cy. They  were  capable  of  deliberate  and  manly, 
rather  than  high-wrought  efforts.  His  memory  was 
strong  and  retentive  ;  hence  the  large  fund  of  useful 
anecdote  which  was  ever  at  his  command,  and 
which  he  employed  with  happy  success  at  the  reci- 
tations of  his  pupils,  and  to  enliven  and  instruct  in 
the  social  circle.  His  patient  industry  in  the  pur- 
suit of  knowledge,  added  to  his  original  capacity 
for  acquiring  it,  gave  him  a  high  standing  among 
his  classmates  in  college,  and  a  high  place  among 
his  literary  associates  in  subsequent  years.     During 


100  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

his  presidency  at  Williamstown  he  was  somewhat 
extensively  known  as  a  man  of  solid  and  varied 
learning.  "  He  was  a  man,"  says  Professor  Dewey, 
"  of  strong  powers  of  mind.  The  more  difficult 
parts  of  the  philosophy  of  his  day,  natural  and 
moral,  so  far  as  the  means  of  investigation  were  at 
his  command,  he  readily  comprehended  and  made 
his  own  ;  and  that  knowledge  he  could  easily  trans- 
fer into  the  minds  of  others.  I  well  remember  many 
points  which  he  presented  and  illustrated  to  our 
class  in  an  indelible  manner.  Had  chemistry  been 
taught  in  his  education,  he  would  have  made  a 
chemist  of  high  respectability."  Dr.  Fitch  was  a 
man  of  a  well-balanced  mind.  It  may  be  said  of 
him  as  Chalmers  said  of  Urquhart :  "  He  had  the 
amplitude  of  genius,  but  none  of  its  irregularities. 
There  was  no  shooting  forth  of  mind  in  one  direc- 
tion so  as  to  give  a  prominency  to  certain  acquisi- 
tions. He  was  neither  a  mere  geometer,  nor  a  mere 
linguist,  nor  a  mere  metaphysician  ;  he  was  all  put 
together ;  alike  distinguished  by  the  fulness  and 
harmony  of  his  powers."  The  cast  of  his  mind 
was  practical,  rather  than  brilliant. 

In  his  younger  days  he  wrote  some  poetry  very 
creditable  to  his  taste  and  genius.  A  niece  once 
requested  him  to  furnish  her  with  some  lines  for  a 
mourning  piece,  which  she  was  embroidering  in 
memory  of  a  departed  sister.  He  wrote  the  follow- 
ing impromptu :  — 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  101 

"  When  thy  dear  Saviour  wakes  the  dead. 
And  bids  tliy  dust  arise, 
Then  tliou  shalt  leave  this  humble  bed, 
And  meet  him  in  the  skies." 

Among  his  papers  that  were  destroyed,  his  children 
well  recollect  there  was  a  manuscript  book  contain- 
ing a  large  number  (probably  all)  of  his  poetic  arti- 
cles. A  few  of  his  pieces  have  come  into  our  hands. 
We  have  concluded  to  insert  the  two  following  pro- 
ductions of  his  youthful  pen  :  — 

"  ODE  TO  INNOCENCE. 

"  Fairest  daugliter  of  the  skies. 
Stranger  to  the  least  offence, 
Nobly  scorning  all  disguise. 
Lovely,  smiling  Innocence. 

"  Deck'd  in  robes  of  purest  snow, 
Bright  and  fair  as  summer's  morn, 
Beauteous  as  the  flowers  that  blow, 
Meads  and  valleys  to  adorn. 

"  Not  the  myrtle's  cooling  shade, 
Not  the  rural  lover's  bower. 
Not  the  calm,  sequestered  glade. 
Blooming  with  each  fragrant  flower ; 

"  Not  the  bliss  that  Science  pours 
O'er  the  bright,  enraptured  mind, 
When  on  eagle  wings  she  soars 
To  the  utmost  bounds  assigned ; 

"  Not  the  honors  of  the  great, 
Titles  of  a  sounding  name. 
Splendor,  power,  and  pomp  of  state, 
Towers  and  sceptres,  wealth  and  fame,  — 
9* 


102  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

"  Can  to  bliss  he  knew  before, 

When  in  thy  pure  garb  arrayed, 
Hjs  pained  bosom  e'er  restore, 
Who  from  thee  has  hapless  strayed. 

"  Choicest  friend  of  mortals  here, 
None,  without  thee,  can  be  blest ; 
Yet  thou  loveliest  dost  appear 
In  the  blooming  fair  one's  breast. 

"  There,  in  charms  that  ever  please, 
We  thy  loveliness  behold  ; 
Such,  'mid  Eden's  bowery  trees, 
Adam  saw  in  Eve  of  old. 

"  Such  in  fair  Honora's  mind. 

Bright  as  morning's  pearly  dew, 
With  each  gentle  virtue  joined, 
We  with  pleasing  rapture  view. 

"  May  she,  O  celestial  fair  ! 

From  thy  footsteps  never  rove  ; 
But  thy  purest  pleasure  share, 
Till  she  join  the  train  above." 

The  affecting  circumstance  which  gave  rise  to  the 
following  lines  was  this :  A  young  lady,  an  ac- 
quaintance of  his,  commenced  life  with  an  ample 
fortune,  and  most  flattering  prospects  of  usefulness 
and  happiness,  but  in  one  year  to  a  day  from  her 
marriage  lay  a  corpse.  They  were  written  when  he 
was  a  youth. 

"BREVITY   OF  LIFE. 

"Ah  !  Delia,  art  thou  then  no  more  ? 
Is  this  thine  early  doom  ? 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  lOo 

Are  all  life's  flattering  prospects  o'er, 
And  thou  beneath  the  tomb  ? 

"  Is  this  the  end  of  hopes  so  bright, 
Fair  hopes  of  happy  days, 
Of  years,  long  years,  of  pure  delight  ?  — 
So  dies  the  meteor's  blaze ! 

"  Pale  are  those  cheeks  which  late  were  warm 
And  fresh  as  blooming  May, 
Alas !  too  soon  that  lovely  form 
Has  found  a  bed  of  clay! 

"  Ah  !  hapless  youth,  she's  gone,  she's  dead  ; 
All  faded  are  her  charms. 
Delia,  thy  lovely  Delia's  fled 
Forever  from  thy  arms. 

"  Lo,  in  her  clay-cold  bed  she  lies. 

Beneath  the  verdant  sod, 

While  her  departed  spirit  flies 

To  meet  her  Saviour  God. 

'•  Oft  to  her  grave,  at  close  of  day. 
Wilt  thou,  sad  swain,  repair. 
Weep  o'er  her  dear  departed  clay. 
And  mourn  thy  Delia  there. 

"  Oft,  tender  maids,  at  spring's  return, 
With  gentle  swains  shall  come. 
And,  while  her  early  fate  they  mourn. 
Strew  flowers  o'er  her  tomb. 

"  But  thou,  alas !  afflicted  youth, 

What  comfort  canst  thou  find  ?  — 
She  was  all  gentleness  and  truth. 
Meek,  tender,  fair  and  kind. 


104  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

"  She  tliy  fond  hopes  and  wishes  crowned ; 
Thy  joys  were  bright  and  pure  ; 
To  thee  all  nature  sniU'd  around  ; 
Thy  bliss  appeared  secure. 

"  Ah,  sad  reverse !     But,  oh,  forbear 
To  murmur  or  complain  ! 
Shall  man,  rash  man,  presumptuous  dare 
Heaven's  counsels  to  arraign  ? 

"  From  His  kind  hand  the  blessing  came,  — 

The  choicest  Delia  proved  ; 
■  What  once  he  gave,  may  he  not  claim, 

And  still  be  feared  and  loved  ? 

"One  pledge  of  chaste  connubial  love 
She's  left  to  soothe  thy  woe  ; 
Let  this  a  father's  kindness  prove, 
His  care  and  culture  know. 

"  Let  this  sweet  babe  some  balm  impart, 
To  dry  a  sister's  tears. 
Heal  a  fond  mother's  bleeding  heart, 
And  bless  thy  future  years. 

"  Learn  hence,  fond  youth,  how  false  and  vain 
Earth's  noblest  pleasures  prove ; 
Her  bi'ightest  joys  are  dashed  with  pain : 
True  bUss  is  found  above ! " 

Dr.  Fitch  engaged  with  ardor  and  perseverance  in 
the  investigation  of  every  subject  to  which  he  turned 
his  attention.  Still,  his  scholarship  seems  to  have 
been  general,  rather  than  confined  to  any  particular 
branch  of  science.  He  understood  thoroughly  the 
whole   course  of  study  pursued  in  our  colleges  at 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  105 

that  period.  With  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages 
he  was  very  familiar.  The  Hebrew,  too,  received  a 
share  of  his  attention,  to  which  he  and  his  cotempo- 
raries  were,  no  doubt,  encouraged  by  that  distin- 
guished Hebrician,  President  Stiles.  He  was  like- 
wise familiar  with  the  French  language.  His  hand- 
writing was  very  fair  and  rather  superior,  —  better 
when  he  was  seventy  than  when  a  tutor  in  college. 

Dr.  Fitch  was  well  qualified,  in  most  respects,  to 
have  the  instruction  and  guardianship  of  young  men. 
It  would  not,  probably,  be  considered  strictly  cor- 
rect to  assert  that  he  was,  on  the  whole,  preemi- 
nently qualified  to  stand  at  the  head  of  a  college. 
He  possessed  the  talent  of  government,  however,  to 
that  degree  that  he  was  revered  and  beloved  by  his 
numerous  pupils.  Some  have  thought  that  he  was 
deficient  in  decision  or  firmness.  His  tenderness  of 
feeling  may  have  led  him,  in  some  instances,  to 
shrink  from  enforcing  or  executing  all  that  he  had 
threatened  in  case  of  delinquency  or  disorder.  Still 
he  was  not  strikingly  deficient  in  this  trait  of  charac- 
ter. The  instances  were  not  common  in  which  he 
fell  short,  in  the  issue,  of  doing  all  that  wholesome 
discipline  required.  "  For  years,"  says  one  of  his 
associates  in  office,  "we  had  no  case  in  which  Dr. 
Fitch  did  not  bear  up  his  end  well  in  the  govern- 
ment of  college."  The  same  valued  friend  and  for- 
mer instructor  adds :  "  Dr.  Fitch  was  too  good  a 
man,  too  pure  in  his  feelings,  too  affectionate 
toward  his  pupils,  too  desirous  of  the  happiness  of 


106  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

all  around  him,  to  allow  me  to  take  up  any  little 
failure  in  some  trait  of  character."  The  friends  of 
Dr.  Fitch  would  be  the  last  to  deny  that  in  connec- 
tion with  his  many  excellences  he  had  a  share  of 
those  imperfections  which  belong  to  man.  But  to 
dwell  upon  these  would  be  productive  of  no  good. 
If  any  one  should  wish  to  see  his  failings  delineated, 
it  must  be  done  by  some  other  pen  than  ours. 

The  president  of  a  college  is  regarded  as  a  kind 
of  parent  or  guardian  to  all  the  young  men.  And 
he  must  give  attention  to  all  their  inquiries  and 
wants,  whether  real  or  imaginary.  Dr.  Fitch,  from 
his  early  education,  natural  kindness,  practical  wis- 
dom and  experience  in  teaching,  was  peculiarly  fitted 
to  meet  these  demands  upon  his  time  and  patience. 
He  almost  invariably  secured  the  entire  confidence 
and  respect  of  his  pupils.  He  showed  himself  to  be 
their  friend  ;  and  they  in  turn  cheerfully  reciprocated 
his  friendship.  He  treated  them  as  young  gentle- 
men, and  they  rarely  failed  to  be  gentlemanly  in 
return.  "  The  instructor  was  forgotten  in  the  friend 
and  father."  We  have  almost  invariably  heard  those 
who  were  graduated  at  Williams  College  during  his 
presidency,  speak  of  him  in  the  highest  terms  of  re- 
spect and  veneration.  And  why  should  it  not  be  so  ? 
For,  not  only  over  their  studies,  but  their  health, 
their  morals,  their  present  and  eternal  welfare,  he 
watched  with  paternal  care  and  anxious  solicitude. 
As  a  consequence,  few  instructors  have  been  more 
uniformly  and  gratefully  remembered  by  their  pupils. 


KEY.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  107 

-45  a  preacher,  Dr.  Fitch's  qualities  partook  of  the 
solid  rather  than  of  the  brilliant  and  showy.  His 
sermons,  so  far  as  we  have  had  the  means  of  ascer- 
taining, were  characterized  by  plainness  of  style, 
clearness  of  illustration,  soundness  of  argument,  and 
the  simplicity  of  the  gospel.  His  manner  was  sol- 
emn, earnest,  and  affectionate.  He  was  a  biblical, 
instructive,  and  practical  preacher.  In  his  religious 
sentiments  he  was  strictly  orthodox.  He  belonged 
to  the  school  of  Edwards.  A  clergyman  of  reputa- 
tion says  of  him :  "  His  accuracy  in  language  and 
rhetorical  correctness  in  composition  were  perhaps 
carried  to  excess.  His  delivery  was  good.  His 
voice  was  full  and  sonorous,  and  his  enunciation 
distinct  and  forcible.  In  composition  he  evidently 
inclined  to  the  pathetic." 

From  his  Baccalaureate  discourse,  delivered  in 
1799,  from  the  text,  —  Bid  covet  earnestly  the  best 
gifts  ;  and  yet  shoiv  I  unto  you  a  more  excellent  ivay^  — 
we  make  the  following  brief  extract :  — 

"  However  desirable  and  -worthy  of  pursuit  the  best  natural 
and  acquired  gifts  may  be,  there  is  still  a  more  excellent  and 
glorious  way.  This  is  the  way  of  holiness ;  which  leads  directly 
and  certainly  to  present  peace  and  future  happiness.  Talents 
•without  piety,  gifts  without  grace,  will  not  profit  you  at  last. 
Splendid  abilities  may  dazzle  the  eyes  of  men,  and  command 
their  admiration  and  applause ;  but  true  virtue  alone  can  procure 
the  divine  favor,  and  ensure  the  rewards  of  a  better  life.  This 
alone  gives  real  worth  and  importance  to  genius  and  erudition,  to 
brilliant  talents  and  extensive  knowledge.     What  do  wit,  genius, 


108  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

and  learning  now  avail  Hume  and  Bolingbroke,  Shaftsbury  and 
Voltaire  ?  Pi'ostituted  as  these  talents  were  by  them  to  the  in- 
famous cause  of  infidelity  and  vice,  what  purpose  do  they  now 
answer,  but  as  flaming  torches  to  light  them  to  the  lowest  pits  of 
their  infernal  prison,  and  show  them,  in  tenfold  horrors,  the 
regions  of  eternal  darkness  ?  What  would  they  now  give  for  one 
cheering  ray  of  that  heavenly  religion  which  they  once  hooted 
and  despised,  —  for  one  drop  of  his  atoning  blood,  whom,  with  the 
rage  and  malice  of  fiends,  they  so  often  reviled  and  blasphemed '? 
You,  my  young  friends,  have  formed,  I  trust,  a  more  just  estimate 
of  the  worth  of  religion.  But  its  real  value  cannot,  in  the  present 
state,  be  fully  told  or  conceived.  When  the  splendors  of  eternal 
day  shall  burst  upon  your  astonished  vision,  or  the  pit  of  endless 
despair  yawn  upon  you,  then,  and  not  till  then,  will  you  know  its 
infinite  worth,  —  its  high  and  everlasting  importance." 

But  the  crowning  excellence  of  Dr.  Fitch  as  a 
preacher,  remains  to  be  mentioned.  He  was  wise 
to  win  souls  to  Christ.  During  his  residence  at 
Willi  am  stown,  numbers  were  hopefully  converted 
through  his  instrumentality,  and  prepared  for  exten- 
sive usefulness  in  Zion.  And  during  his  twelve 
years'  ministry  in  West  Bloomfield,  though  his  con- 
gregation was  not  large,  and  he  in  the  evening  of  his 
days,  still  the  admission  to  that  church  averaged  six- 
teen annually.  Not  a  year  passed,  while  he  minis- 
tered to  that  people,  but  that  some  were  brought  out 
of  darkness  into  marvellous  light,  and  confessed 
Christ  before  men. 

It  hardly  need  be  added  that  Dr.  Fitch  took  a 
deep  and  lively  interest  in  the  cause  of  education  in 
general.     Could  he  devote  eight  years  of  his  early 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCU,  D.  D.  109 

life  to  the  duties  of  an  instructor  in  Yale  College, 
three  years  to  the  office  of  preceptor  at  Williams- 
town,  and  twenty-two  to  the  presidency  of  the  col- 
lege ;  educate  some  young  men  almost  entirely  at 
his  own  expense  ;  take  an  early  and  prominent  part 
in  the  efforts  of  the  American  Education  Society, 
and  in  the  establishment  of  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Auburn,  —  unless  the  cause  of  education, 
especially  the  preparation  of  pious  young  men  for 
the  gospel  ministry,  was  with  him  an  object  of  ab- 
sorbing interest  ? 

Dr.  Fitch  was  truly  a  lover  of  good  men.  He  was 
given  to  hospitality.  He  was  liberal  to  all  who 
called  upon  him,  as  much  so  as  his  means  would 
allow.  He  was  the  best  beloved  by  those  who  knew 
him  best.  He  made  many  friends,  and  had  no  ene- 
mies. It  may  be  questioned  whether  he  had  an 
enemy  in  the  world.  Perhaps  no  man  was  ever 
more  beloved  by  all  his  neighbors  wherever  he  lived. 
His  doors  were  freely  opened,  and  all  his  guests  were 
made  to  feel  that  they  were  welcome  to  the  best 
that  his  house  could  furnish.  He  never  amassed 
much  wealth ;  he  had  little  more  than  a  bare  com- 
petency. Still,  by  joining  economy  with  liberality, 
he  passed  his  days  in  circumstances  of  comfort, 
honor,  and  content.  His  virtues  and  learning  were 
his  richest  inheritance.  His  best  hopes  were  his 
treasures  laid  up  in  heaven. 

During  his  presidency,  he  aided  some  young  men 
in  obtaining  an  education  probably  beyond  his  pecu- 
10 


110  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

niary  ability.  One  of  them,  the  day  after  his  grad- 
uation, on  taking  leave  of  the  President,  assured  him, 
if  ever  he  should  become  able  to  do  so,  he  would 
remunerate  him  for  his  kindness  and  confidence. 
More  than  twenty  years  afterward,  when  Dr.  Fitch 
had  retired  from  the  ministry  and  was  receiving  no 
regular  income,  he  had  contracted  some  debts  which 
he  had  not  the  means  of  paying,  besides  living  in  a 
house  which  he  did  not  own.  All  unexpectedly  there 
arrived  at  his  dwelling  in  West  Bloomfield,  one 
evening,  an  individual  whom  Dr.  Fitch  did  not  rec- 
ognize. It  was  soon,  however,  ascertained  to  be 
Gordon  H.  Backus,  a  nephew  of  Mrs.  Fitch,  and 
who  was  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1806. 
He  had  been  successful  in  his  profession  as  a  lawyer 
in  Richmond,  Va.,  and  had  now  come  to  redeem  the 
pledge,  given  years  before,  that,  if  ever  he  should  be 
able  to  do  so,  he  would  give  his  venerable  friend  and 
patron  something  better  than  thanks  for  his  educa- 
tion. He  ascertained  that  evening  Dr.  Fitch's  pecu- 
niary circumstances.  The  next  day  he  presented 
Dr.  Fitch  with  a  receipt  for  all  his  debts,  a  deed  of 
the  house  in  which  he  lived,  and  two  thousand  dol- 
lars in  cash.  "  Cast  thy  bread  upon  the  waters ;  for 
thou  shalt  find  it  after  many  days." 

Dr.  Fitch  was  a  man  of  untiring'  industry/.  If  he 
was  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  diligent  and  laborious 
student;  if  he  was  not  uniformly  and  indefatigably 
engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  some  great  and  worthy 
object;  if  he  was  not  always  employed  about  that 


REV.  EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D.  Ill 

which  pertained  to  his  office  or  profession,  still  he 
was  a  remarkably  industrious  man.  None  of  his 
time  was  suffered  to  run  to  waste.  Every  hour  of 
his  life  appeared  to  be  conscientiously  devoted  to 
some  valuable  purpose.  With  him  no  hours  could 
strictly  be  called  leisure  hours.  Besides  the  needful 
time  for  repose  and  refreshment,  he  was  uniformly 
occupied  in  his  study,  in  his  official  duties,  in  his 
garden  or  wood-house,  in  attending  to  his  domestic 
concerns,  or  in  some  way  promoting  the  good  of  his 
fellow-men.  His  labors  were  always  arduous,  and 
sometimes  excessive.  Besides  performing  all  his 
domestic  and  collegiate  duties,  he  frequently  preached 
on  the  Sabbath,  and  sometimes  for  months  in  suc- 
cession ;  and  the  calls  on  him  for  services  abroad 
were  somewhat  numerous.  Under  the  pressure  of 
so  many  cares  and  labors,  his  constitution,  not  orig- 
inally remarkably  firm,  must  have  failed  but  for  his 
regular  exercise  in  the  open  air,  to  which  he  habitu- 
ally accustomed  himself.  There  is  much  salutary 
counsel  and  practical  wisdom  in  the  following  sen- 
tence contained  in  a  letter  to  his  son,  then  just 
settled  in  the  ministry.  "  The  garden  has  been  my 
p'hysician,  —  let  it  be  yours.''''  During  the  twenty-two 
years  of  his  presidency  at  Williamstown,  the  regular 
performance  of  his  official  duties  was  never  known 
to  be  interrupted  by  sickness,  but  once,  for  a  single 
week.  His  constitution  was  preserved,  to  a  great 
extent,  hale  and  vigorous  till  near  the  close  of  life. 
The  source  of  Dr.  Fitch's  support  and  comfort  in 


112  REV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D. 

the  day  of  affliciion  and  trial  may  be  inferred  from 
the  following  letter,  which  is  strikingly  characteristic 
of  him.  It  was  written  near  the  close  of  his  life, 
and  addressed  to  two  of  his  children,  then  deeply 
afflicted.  "  About  noon  to-day,  I  took  from  the  office 
your  letter,  conveying  to  us  the  distressing  tidings 
of  your  dear  little  Harriet's  death.  This  is  indeed 
an  afflictive  dispensation ;  but  no  doubt  perfectly 
wise  and  good.  My  thoughts  have  repeatedly  antici- 
pated it,  and  I  may  almost  say  foreboded  it.  Such 
precious  gifts  as  your  two  lovely  babes  appeared 
almost  too  much  for  any  imperfect  mortals  to  receive 
and  safely  retain.  So  prone  are  the  hearts  of  God's 
partially  sanctified  children  to  doat  on  such  rich  gifts 
from  his  munificent  hand,  and  even  to  idolize  them, 
that  he  often  sees  it  to  be  best  and  necessary  for 
their  good,  soon  to  take  them  back.  This  he  un- 
questionably has  a  right  to  do,  and  always  will  do, 
when  he  sees  it  will  promote  the  spiritual  good  of 
those  he  loves.  What  son  or  daughter  is  there 
whom  the  father  does  not  chasten  for  their  profit  and 
growth  in  grace  ?  This  he  does,  sometimes  more 
and  sometimes  less  severely,  and  always  in  covenant 
love  and  faithfulness  to  his  children.     Watts  says  :  -^ 

*  The  brightest  things  below  the  sky- 
Give  but  a  flattering  light ; 
We  should  suspect  some  danger  nigh, 
Where  we  jDOSsess  delight.' 

Sad  experience  often  teaches  the  Christian  that  this 


REV.  EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D.  113 

sentiment  is  true.  When  our  hearts  are  too  much 
set  on  any  earthly  object,  there  is  always  reason  to 
apprehend  that  our  heavenly  Father  will,  in  kind- 
ness, take  that  object  from  us.  And  shall  we  com- 
plain of  an  act  of  kindness  and  tenderness  in  him 
whose  love  to  his  children  is  unfailing?  This  love 
always  directs  Him  to  consult  their  highest  and  best 
interest  in  all  his  dealings  ;  some  of  which,  to  answer 
this  kind  and  benevolent  purpose,  must  be  trying  and 
afflictive.  Prosperity  is  much  more  dangerous  to 
them  than  adversity  ;  worldly  comforts,  than  disap- 
pointments and  afflictions.  I  do  not  say,  my  dear 
children,  that  your  affections  were  in  an  uncommon 
degree  set  upon  your  lovely  babes.  But  it  would  be 
very  natural  if  they  were.  The  temptation  was  un- 
usually strong,  and  you  must  have  had  more  than  a 
common  share  of  grace  to  resist  and  overcome  it. 
Perhaps  you  find  they  were,  and  now  see  the  reason 
why  your  kind  heavenly  Father  has  thus  dealt  with 
you.  If  so,  this  should  be  a  motive  to  the  most 
humble  submission  to  the  divine  will,  and  entire 
resignation  to  this  afflicting  providence.  It  is  a  se- 
vere trial  of  your  faith,  patience,  and  acquiescence  in 
the  pleasure  of  Him  who  does  all  things  well.  His 
grace  can,  and  I  trust  will,  not  only  support  you,  but 
comfort  you  under  this  sore  bereavement,,  and  bring 
you  out  of  this  furnace  of  affliction,  as  gold  purified 
by  fire.  We  deeply  feel  the  affliction  ourselves,  and 
tenderly  sympathize  with  you.  It  is  our  earnest 
prayer  that  God  will  be  pleased  to  spare  your  little 

10* 


114  REV.  EBBNBZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

son,  and  not  add  sorrow  to  sorrow.  But  he  knows 
what  is  best.  His  pleasure  will  be  done,  and  it  is 
our  duty  to  acquiesce,  whatever  it  may  be." 

In  bringing  this  biographical  sketch  of  President 
Fitch  to  a  close,  we  are  deeply  and  painfully  sensible 
of  its  imperfections.  While  preparing  it,  we  have 
often  been  led  to  wonder  that  one  so  useful,  distin- 
guished, and  deserving  has  been  hitherto  overlooked, 
while  many  inferior  to  him  have  been  largely  noticed. 
The  preceding  representations  of  him,  we  are  fully 
satisfied,  fall  below  what  they  ought  to  have  been. 
We  have  not  reached  the  standard  at  which  we 
aimed.  But  our  consolation  is  that  we  have  done 
what  we  could  to  rescue  from  oblivion  the  life  and 
character  of  one  who  deserves  a  far  better  and  more 
extended  memorial.  Though  Dr.  Fitch  was  modest 
and  unobtrusive,  and  never  appeared  to  be  reaching 
after  applause  or  popularity,  still,  the  life  which  he 
lived,  the  character  which  he  sustained,  and  the 
labors  he  performed,  ought  to  secure  for  him  a  pre- 
cious and  enduring  record  in  the  history  of  his  times. 
And  now,  with  the  addition  of  a  single  paragraph, 
we  lay  down  our  pen. 

As  a  companion,  father,  and  friend,  Dr.  Fitch  was 
all  that  his  nearest  connections  could  desire  him  to 
be.  "A  kinder  husband,"  said  his  bereaved  widow, 
"  the  world  never  furnished.  His  unremitting  atten- 
tion to  me,  during  my  late  illness,  contributed  greatly 
to  his  being  taken  so  suddenly  to  the  grave."  An- 
other member  of  his  family  remarks  :  "  I  think  I  can 


EEV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  115 

unhesitatingly  say  that  I  never  knew  one  better  cal- 
culated to  render  a  home-circle  cheerful  and  happy 
than  my  deceased  father.  Anticipating  every  wish 
of  wife  and  children,  and  in  his  own  manners  uni- 
formly bland  and  affectionate,  the  cheerful  and 
happy  influence  of  his  presence  and  conversation 
was  daily  felt  throughout  our  whole  circle.  He 
was  also  characterized  by  a  remarkable  equanimity 
of  temper.  In  the  varied  trials  incident  to  every 
family's  experience,  during  my  whole  life  I  never 
saw  his  bright,  sun-lit  countenance  shaded  by  a 
frown ;  nor  did  1  ever  have  any  evidence  that  his 
equilibrium  of  mind  was  disturbed."  As  a  father, 
he  was  uniformly  affectionate,  kind  and  provident. 
His  children  invariably  revered,  loved,  and  obeyed 
him,  and  were  emulous  to  please  him.  As  a  friend, 
few  have  been  more  highly  esteemed  and  valued. 
"  I  know  not,"  says  Dr.  Davis,  "  that  I  have  ever 
known  a  purer  or  more  benevolent  man,  —  a  man  for 
whose  integrity  and  uprightness  I  have  entertained 
a  more  profound  respect."  His  circle  of  warm- 
hearted friends  was  somewhat  extensive.  His  ac- 
quaintance was  deservedly  sought ;  his  presence  im- 
parted intelligence  and  pleasure  to  every  circle  in 
which  he  moved.  He  evidently  lived  not  for  himself, 
but  for  the  good  of  his  generation.  He  uniformly 
aimed  to  diffuse  happiness  around  him.  "Without 
the  prospect  of  reward  in  the  present  life,  he  was 
sustained  and  animated  with  the  hope  of  a  reward 
in  the  world  to  come.     Upon  that  reward  for  which 


116  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

his  Lord  had  so  manifestly  been  preparing  him  for 
a  long  course  of  years,  he  has  no  doubt,  through 
grace,  joyfully  entered.  And  hundreds  and  hun- 
dreds, who  have  enjoyed  his  society  and  shared  in 
his  labors  for  their  benefit,  now  "  rise  up  and  call 
him  blessed." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  alumni  of  Williams  College, 
held  August,  1863,  —  thirty  years  after  the  death  of 
Dr.  Fitch,  —  it  was  decided  to  erect  a  monument  to 
his  memory  on  this  spot  —  the  principal  scene  of  his 
successful  and  useful  labors.  The  work  was  in- 
trusted to  the  Executive  Committee,  who  were  also 
requested,  if  possible,  to  procure  a  portrait.*  Liber- 
ally aided  by  Dr.  S.  S.  Fitch,  of  New  York,  the 
committee  found  no  difficulty  in  securing  from  a  few 
of  the  alumni  the  necessary  funds, — five  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars.  The  monument  (made  in  Pitts- 
field)  has  two  plinths  or  bases,  the  lower  one  four 
feet  square,  with  a  die  or  main  pillar,  surmounted  by 
a  handsome  urn,  —  the  whole  about  fourteen  feet 
high,  and  weighing  six  and  a  half  tons.  It  was 
erected  in  the  college  cemetry,  on  the  last  of  June, 
1864,  and  bears  the  following  inscriptions:  — 

*  In  addition  to  his  liberal  contribution  toward  the  monument,  and  his 
aid  in  publishing  the  sketch  of  President  Fitch,  the  alumni  are  now  to  be 
indebted  to  the  liberality  of  Dr.  S.  S.  Fitch  for  a  large  and  well-executed 
portrait  of  his  worthy  uncle.  No  reasonable  pains  or  expense  have  been 
spared  to  procure  one  that  shall  be  correct  and  acceptable. 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  117 

[On  the  West  side.] 

IN  MEMORY   OF 

REV.   EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.   D. 

FIRST   PRESIDENT   OF  WILLIAMS 
COLLEGE, 

Born  at    Norwich^    Ct.y 

SEPT.  26,   1756; 

GRADUATED  AT  YALE   COLLEGE,   1777, 

TUTOR  THERE  8  YEARS. 
BECAME  PRECEPTOR  OF 

THE  ACADEMY  AT  WILLIAMSTOWN, 

OCT.,  1790. 

President  or  the  College,  1793 ; 

RESIGNED    THE   PRESIDENCY 

1815; 

INSTALLED  AT  WEST  BLOOMFIELD,  N.  Y., 
NOV.  29,  1815. 

RESIGNED   NOV.    25,    1827. 

DIED   THERE  MARCH  21,  1833, 
AGED    76    YEARS. 


118  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,   D.  D. 


[On  the  North  side.] 

Pk^s.  Fitch  Reliqui-E 

ad  ofpid.  gul.  allat.e  sunt, 

et  hoc  mondmentcm    erectum  est 

ab   suis  cognatis  et  colt,   gul.  alumnis, 

ANNO    1864. 

[On  the  South  side.] 
IN    MEMORIAM 

EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.   D. 


VIR     CLARISSIMUS 

DOCTRINA    ET    INDUSTRIA, 

HUJIANITATE    ET     PIETATE  ; 

EJUS    EXEMPLUM     ET     PRECEPTA 

SU^     iETATI    PROFUERUNT, 

ET    rUTURIS    TEMPORIBUS    BENE    FACIENT. 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCII,  D.  D.  119 

At  the  suggestion  of  some  of  Dr.  Fitch's  relatives, 
his  remains  (found  in  a  good  state  of  preservation) 
were  removed  from  West  Bloomfield,  N.  Y.,  to 
Williamstown  ;  and  on  Tuesday  evening,  July  5, 
1864,  immediately  after  prayers  in  the  chapel,  the 
Faculty  and  some  of  the  Trustees,  and  other  grad- 
uates and  friends  of  the  college,  who  were  attend- 
ing the  senior  examination,  repaired  to  the  college 
cemetery,  and  reverently  consigned  the  honored  re- 
mains to  their  new  resting-place.  The  feelings 
prompted  by  the  occasion  found  a  fitting  expression 
in  the  following  remarks,  made  by  the  Hon.  Judge 
Bishop,  of  Lenox  :  — 

"  In  the  little  box  around  -which  we  are  standing  are  the  ashes 
of  an  eminently  good  and  useful  man.  They  are  all  that  remains 
on  earth  of  him  who  first  gave  form  and  vitality  to  the  institution 
whose  buildings  crown  the  elevations  of  this  valley,  and  from 
which  so  many  have  gone  out  to  enlighten  and  elevate  mankind. 
Among  those  here,  I  am  told,  I  am  the  only  one  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  college  during  his  presidency.  Of  his  own  and  the  suc- 
ceeding generation,  few  remain.  There  are  impressions  made  up- 
on the  heart  which  time  cannot  efface.  The  relics  before  us 
bring  back  again,  in  full  force,  the  sentiments  of  reverence  Avhich 
the  living  presence  inspired.  I  see  his  dignified  form  again,  his 
grave  and  benignant  features,  his  courteous  demeanor,  his  happy 
smile,  and  feel  again  the  veneration  which  the  lapse  of  half  a  cen- 
tury has  not  extinguished.  In  September,  1814,  I  entered  col- 
lege. Dr.  Fitch  left  it  in  September  of  the  year  following.  I 
knew  him  only  as  a  presiding  officer.  As  such,  he  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  the  students  of  the  several  classes.  He  regarded 
them  as  his  children,  and  his  government  of  them  was  that  of  a 
father.     He  was  coercive,  reluctantly  and  judiciously  coercive. 


120  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

when  persuasive  kindness  failed,  and  only  then.  He  mingled 
with  his  pupils  with  cheerful,  serene  familiarity.  His  manners 
were  those  which  high  attainments  give  to  a  good  heart  and  re- 
fined breeding. 

"  He  was  a  Christian  gentleman.  In  the  devotional  exercises 
of  the  college  he  was  impressively  earnest  and  solemn.  The  su- 
premacy and  authority  of  divine  truths,  as  revealed,  were  ear- 
nestly enforced.  No  one  who  heard  him  discourse  upon  their  rel- 
ative importance  will  ever  forget  how  he  placed  them  high  above 
all  scientific  and  literary  attainments,  and  his  urgent  advocacy  for 
their  diffusion  throughout  the  world.  He  dwelt  with  peculiar 
delight  upon  Christian  missions,  the  good  they  had  wrought,  and 
their  prospects.  Initiated  by  such  a  man,  it  is  no  wonder  that 
this  college  stands  preeminent  for  its  missionary  zeal,  —  that 
Mills,  and  Hall,  and  James  Richards  should  have  become  what 
they  were,  under  the  inspiring  teachings  of  one  so  able  and  so 
devoted  to  the  spread  of  the  gospel.  The  impress  which  he 
made  in  this  respect  upon  the  college  still  lasts.  This  is  most 
obvious  to  those  who  knew  it  early  and  know  it  now.  May  the 
mantle  cast  upon  it  by  him  whose  bones  are  here,  cover  it  forever  ! 

"  I  have  always  regarded  Dr.  Fitch  as  the  real  founder  of  this 
institution,  —  that  had  he  not  been,  it  would  not  have  existed  as 
it  now  does.  He  came  here  early,  —  a  ripe  scholar,  apt,  and 
eminently  qualified  to  teach.  He  was  thoroughly  equal  to 
impart  all  that  an  education  then  thought  liberal  required.  No 
collegiate  institution  was  near ;  increasing  population  and  intel- 
ligence demanded  one.  He  was  qualified  to  supervise  and  con- 
trol it.  The  materials  for  its  inception  were  at  hand.  He  sug- 
gested their  use,  and,  in  a  good  measure,  directed  their  applica- 
tion. May  he  not,  therefore,  be  permitted  to  share,  without  im- 
pairing, the  just  fame  of  him  whose  munificence  is  acknowledged 
by  the  name  with  which  the  institution  has  been  christened  ? 

"  I  retain  with  a  good  degree  of  distinctness  the  impression 
which  his  preaching  made  upon  my  mind,  and  the  characteristics 
of  his  eloquence.     His  sermons  were  no  academic  discourses,  pol- 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  121 

islicd  and  elaborate,  of  lofty  style  and  glowing  imagery,  challeng- 
ing for  the  speaker  the  admiration  of  his  audience.  He  spoke  for 
truth's  sake,  not  for  his  own.  He  loved  the  truth  better  than  he 
loved  himself.  He  preached  it,  that  others  might  be  brought  to 
love  it.  This  was  the  end  of  his  preaching.  To  that  end  all  his 
forces  were  directed.  His  sermons  were  full  of  the  deep  sensi- 
bilities of  his  own  pure  and  affectionate  nature,  made  active  by 
the  clear  conviction  of  the  truths  which  he  enforced.  He  seemed 
impressed  with  the  belief  that  his  audience  were  to  be  influenced 
and  drawn  to  the  truth  through  the  affections,  —  that,  the  heart 
once  touched,  the  reason  ceases  to  cavil,  and  the  will  becomes  sub- 
missive. In  a  word,  his  was  the  eloquence  of  Christian  love,  pu- 
rifying aU  that  is  tender,  affectionate,  and  holy  in  the  heart. 

"  To  you,  sir,  whose  active  and  disinterested  devotion  to  the 
college,  founded  in  no  small  measure  by  the  good  and  learned 
man  whose  name  and  deeds  we  hope  to  perpetuate,  I  tender  my 
cordial  thanks  and  congratulations.  You  have  brought  from  a 
distance,  to  be  buried  here  amidst  the  scenes  of  his  usefulness,  all 
that  is  material  which  is  left  of  him.  We  now  bury  '  these 
sacred  relics '  at  the  foot  of  the  very  appropriate  monumental 
marble  which  you  have  caused  to  be  erected,  and  on  which  you 
have  written  his  name  and  character.  This  was  due  to  his  mem- 
ory, to  the  college  whose  first  president  he  was,  and  is  worthy  of 
one  enrolled  among  her  steadfast  and  devoted  sons. 

"  In  the  name  of  the  few  surviving  pupils  of  President  Fitch,  I 
thank  you  for   this   manifestation  of  your   appreciation  of  his 
worth,  and  recognition  of  his  eminent  services  in  the  cause  of 
science,  humanity,  and  Christian  civilization." 
11 


A    DISCOURSE 

ADDRESSED  TO  THE  CANDIDATES  FOR  THE  BACCALAUREATE 
IN  WILLIAMS  COLLEGE,  SEPTEMBER  1,  1799.  BY  THE  REV. 
EBENEZER   FITCH,   PRESIDENT    OF    WILLIAMS   COLLEGE. 


"  CoTet  earnestly  the  best  gifts ;  and  yet  show  I  unto  you  a  more  excellent  way. 
—  1  Corinthians  xii.  31. 


HE  Christian  philosopher  often  contemplates, 
with  pleasing  astonishment,  the  works  of 
God.  Their  number,  variety,  properties, 
powers,  and  uses  excite  his  admiration  of 
^j ^  the  divine  wisdom.  The  goodness  displayed 
tW  in  their  formation,  in  their  fitness  for  the  ends 
intended,  and  capacities  for  enjoyment,  calls 
forth  his  gratitude  and  praise.  But  man,  the  last 
and  noblest  piece  of  divine  workmanship  in  this 
world,  claims  the  greatest  share  of  his  attention.  He 
sees  him  to  be  distinguished,  in  several  important  re- 
spects, from  the  inferior  orders  of  animals.  Their 
powers  are  very  limited,  and  admit  of  little  enlarge- 
ment or  improvement ;  his  may  be  improved  and  en- 
larged almost  to  infinity.  Tlieir  capacities  for  enjoy- 
ment are  scanty,  and  admit  only  the  low,  gross  pleas- 
ures of  sense  ;  his  are  large,  highly  improvable,  and 
(122) 


KEY.  EBEXEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  123 

fitted  for  the  noblest  intellectual  and  moral  pleasures. 
Distinguished  as  man  is  from  the  inferior  orders  of 
creatures,  is  it  not  strange  that  any,  boasting  of  high 
claims  to  reason  and  philosophy,  should  be  so  brutish 
as  to  suppose  him  destined  to  the  same  common  lot, 
—  to  perish  forever,  and  be  forgotten  ?  Reason  and 
revelation  concur  in  their  decision,  that  he  has  a  far 
higher  and  nobler  destiny.  The  breath  of  the  Al- 
mighty has  made  him  immortal,  and  given  him 
powers  capable  of  endless  progressive  improvement 
in  knowledge  and  virtue,  and  capacities  for  commen- 
surate enjoyment  of  the  purest  intellectual  and  mor- 
al kind. 

But  the  mental  powers  and  faculties  of  man  were 
not  made  to  grow,  like  vegetables,  or  animal  bodies, 
without  any  labor  or  exertion  of  his  own.  They 
need  diligent  culture,  vigorous  exercise,  the  aids  of 
science,  and  the  benign  influence  of  religion,  to 
bring  them  to  maturity.  The  understanding  must 
be  enlarged,  strengthened,  and  enriched  with  knowl- 
edge, and  the  will  and  affections  amended,  regu- 
lated, and  improved  by  virtue.  The  cultivation  of 
the  heart  should  keep  pace  with  the  growth  and  en- 
largement of  the  mental  powers.  Intellectual  en- 
dowments, natural  or  acquired,  can  never  alone  raise 
man  to  that  elevated  rank  in  the  scale  of  being 
which  his  Maker  designed  him  to  hold.  Virtue  and 
religion  must  unite  their  happifying  and  ennobling 
influence  to  raise  him  to  the  true  dignity  of  a  ra- 
tional, immortal  creature.     "  Covet  earnestly,"  says 


124  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

the  apostle,  "the  best  gifts ;  and  yet  show  I  unto 
you  a  more  excellent  way." 

On  this  occasion,  young  gentlemen,  the  last  I  ever 
expect  of  speaking  to  you  publicly  as  a  class,  I  feel 
it  to  be  my  duty  to  address  you  with  the  freedom  of  a 
friend,  and  with  the  seriousness  and  engagedness 
becoming  a  minister  of  Christ.  To  impress  on  your 
minds  some  of  the  interesting  truths  suggested  in  the 
text,  I  shall  endeavor,  in  the  first  place,  to  show  you 
that  there  are  some  gifts  which  are  highly  valuable, 
and  worthy  your  diligent  pursuit,  and  point  out 
some  of  the  ways  in  which  they  may  be  improved  ; 
secondly,  to  suggest  some  motives  which  ought  to 
influence  you  to  the  diligent  pursuit  and  faithful  im- 
provement of  them  ;  and,  thirdly,  to  make  it  evident 
that  there  is  a  still  more  excellent  and  important 
way. 

In  the  first  place,  I  am  to  show  you  that  some 
gifts  are  highly  valuable,  and  worthy  your  diligent 
pursuit,  and  point  out  some  of  the  ways  in  which 
they  may  be  improved.  Gifts,  talents,  or  powers, 
are  natural,  supernatural,  or  acquired.  Natural  gifts 
or  talents,  though  capable  of  being  increased  and 
improved,  and  applied  to  valuable  purposes,  cannot 
be  objects  of  pursuit.  They  are  such  as  God,  their 
author,  has  been  pleased  to  make  them.  Thus,  one 
man  has  a  gift  or  talent  which  enables  him  to  excel 
in  one  walk  of  science,  one  art  or  profession,  and 
another  in  another.  He  who  has  not  one  of  these 
gifts  can  never  acquire  it  by  any  labor,  study,  or  ex- 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  125 

ertion.  "  Poeta  nascitur,  non  fit^''  *  said  the  Romans  ; 
and  the  same  observation  is  equally  applicable  to 
every  natural  gift  or  talent. 

There  are  also  supernatural  gifts.  Of  these  the 
apostle  had  been  particularly  speaking  in  the  pre- 
ceding context.  These  were  the  gifts  of  miracles, 
of  prophesying,  of  healing  the  sick,  and  of  speaking 
or  interpreting  an  unknown  language.  Among  the 
primitive  Christians,  many,  by  the  immediate  agen- 
cy of  the  divine  Spirit,  were  endowed  with  these  ex- 
traordinary, miraculous  gifts.  They  answered,  at 
that  day,  the  important  purpose  of  facilitating  and 
expediting  the  spread  of  the  gospel  among  rude, 
unenlightened,  idolatrous  nations.  God  by  them 
bore  testimony  to  the  doctrines  of  the  cross,  in  a 
manner  calculated  to  silence  the  cavils  of  unbeliev- 
ing Jews,  and  bring  conviction  to  the  minds  of  ig- 
norant Gentiles.  But  the  reasons  for  bestowing 
these  miraculous  gifts  on  the  ministers  of  religion 
long  since  generally  ceased,  and  with  them  the  gifts 
themselves.  It  does  not  appear,  therefore,  that  it  is 
now  the  duty  of  Christians  to  pray  for  them,  or 
desire  them. 

Acquired  gifts,  or  talents,  are  those  of  which  I 
mean  principally  to  treat,  and  which  I  would  recom- 
mend as  objects  worthy  your  diligent  and  strenuous 
pursuit. 

Science  or  knowledge,  extensively  considered,  is 


*  A  man  is  horn^  and  not  made,,  a  poet. 
11* 


126  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

a  gift  or  talent  of  general  use  and  application.  It 
is,  in  ten  thousand  different  ways,  conducive  to  the 
improvement  and  happiness  of  man.  Without  it, 
he  would  still  be  a  savage,  elevated  by  his  natural 
powers  only  above  the  brutal  herd.  All  the  refine- 
ments of  society,  all  its  accommodations  and  ele- 
gant delights,  owe  their  origin  to  science.  Contrast 
the  condition  of  savages  with  that  of  civilized  na- 
tions, and  see  the  striking  difference.  View,  if  you 
can,  without  the  mingled  emotions  of  astonishment 
and  pleasure,  the  benefits  resulting  to  individuals 
and  society  from  the  cultivation  of  the  human  mind, 
and  the  treasures  of  knowledge  with  which  it  has 
been  stored.  To  recount  them  all  would  be  a  task 
as  difficult  and  endless  as  to  number  the  stars,  or 
tell  the  sands  on  the  sea-shore.  Many  of  them,  in 
a  highly  improved  state  of  society,  are,  like  air  and 
light,  so  common  as  hardly  to  be  noticed.  We  see 
and  feel  and  enjoy  them,  without  considering  from 
what  source  they  spring,  or  reflecting  that  they  are 
not  natural  or  incidental. 

Philology,  or  the  knowledge  of  language,  is  valua- 
ble, principally,  as  the  means  or  instrument  either  of 
acquiring  or  communicating  other  knowledge,  and 
as  the  medium  of  social  intercourse.  Endowed  by 
our  beneficent  Creator  with  the  faculty  of  speech,  it 
becomes  us  to  improve  it,  as  the  means,  not  merely 
of  interchanging  our  thoughts  in  the  common  con- 
cerns of  life,  but  of  communicating  to  each  other 
the   knowledge  of    him   and  his  works.     The  man 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  127 

who  becomes  eminent  in  the  use  of  this  faculty  ac- 
quires a  commanding  influence  over  the  opinions, 
passions,  and  actions  of  his  fellow-men.  He  has  it 
in  his  power,  not  merely  to  please,  instruct,  and  per- 
suade, but  to  convince,  arouse,  animate,  impel. 
Paul  of  Tarsus  was  celebrated,  even  by  the  learned 
heathen  of  that  day,  as  one  of  the  first  orators  of 
the  age.  And  to  what  a  noble  purpose  was  his  or- 
atory applied  I  Thousands  now  in  heaven,  converted 
under  his  preaching  from  gross  ignorance  and  idola- 
try, or  an  obstinate  and  blind  attachment  to  Juda- 
ism, can  testify,  and  will  testify  forever. 

Need  I  undertake  to  point  out  to  you,  young  gen- 
tlemen, the  numerous  inferior  advantages  and  uses 
of  oratory  ?  Is  it  not  one  of  the  first  qualifications, 
one  of  the  most  brilliant  ornaments  of  the  lawyer 
and  the  statesman,  as  well  as  of  the  divine  ?  Dili- 
gently cultivate,  then,  this  talent;  earnestly  covet 
this  highly  valuable  and  useful  gift. 

Were  it,  on  this  occasion,  proper,  I  might  proceed 
to  recommend  to  your  diligent  and  persevering  pur- 
suit every  branch  of  useful  knowledge.  I  might 
mention  the  many  advantages  derived  from  a  knowl- 
edge of  this  terraqueous  globe,  its  numerous  and 
various  inhabitants,  their  manners,  laws,  history, 
forms  of  government,  civil,  literary,  and  religious  in- 
stitutions. I  might  eulogize  the  benefits  resulting 
from  natural  science,  and  invite  you  to  examine, 
with  philosophic  care  and  accuracy,  and  contem- 
plate, with  devout  admiration,  the  various  produc- 


128  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

tions  of  infinite  skill,  power,  and  benevolence  in  this 
material  world.  I  might  show  you  how  such  re- 
searches invigorate  the  powers  of  the  mind,  enlarge 
the  bounds  of  knowledge,  contribute  to  the  conven- 
ience, accommodation,  and  happiness  of  man,  and 
raise  his  views  to  that  Almighty  Being  who  called 
the  world  into  existence,  and  who  superintends,  reg- 
ulates, and  controls  all  the  operations  of  this  vast 
and  complicated  machine.  In  short,  I  might  un- 
dertake to  point  out  to  you  all  the  various  uses  and 
advantages  of  the  knowledge  of  those  arts  and  sci- 
ences which  compose  a  course  of  liberal  education, 
and  which  have  engaged  so  large  a  share  of  your 
attention  during  your  academic  life.  But,  pleasing 
as  would  be  the  task,  I  must  waive  it  for  one  more 
important  and  better  suited  to  the  occasion. 

General  science,  as  was  observed,  is  a  talent  or 
gift  of  extensive  application  and  utility.  The  man 
whose  mind  is  enriched  with  every  kind  of  knowl- 
edge can,  as  occasion  may  require,  bring  out  of  his 
treasure  things  new  and  old.  He  has  in  himself, 
whether  alone  or  in  company,  a  fund  of  rational 
pleasure.  He  can  entertain  and  instruct  the  listen- 
ing circle,  and  shed  on  all  around  him  the  light  of 
wisdom  and  knowledge.  In  how  many  ways,  and 
to  how  great  an  extent,  may  he  be  useful  to  his  fel- 
low-men ?  If  he  is  disposed  to  improve  his  knowl- 
edge for  the  good  of  others,  he  is  the  blessing  and 
the  ornament  of  society.  What  a  debt  of  gratitude 
is  due  to  men  of  such  eminent  erudition  as  Bacon 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  129 

and  Boyle  and  Newton  and  Locke!  And,  to 
the  honor  of  human  nature,  we  might  add  to  this 
list  a  long  catalogue  of  names  truly  illustrious  in 
the  republic  of  letters. 

But,  to  become  eminent  for  general  knowledge, 
great  abilities,  much  leisure,  long  and  close  applica- 
tion are  requisite.  Few,  therefore,  shine  as  general 
scholars,  while  many  figure  in  some  particular  de- 
partment of  science.  That  knowledge  is  always 
most  valuable  which  is  most  useful.  That  which  is 
most  directly  applicable  to  the  common  occasions 
and  occupations  of  life  merits  your  first  attention 
All  that  knowledge,  especially,  which  conduces  to 
extensive  usefulness  in  professional  life,  should  be 
eagerly  sought  by  youth  who  design  to  engage  in 
the  learned  professions.  It  becomes,  in  their  hands, 
a  gift  or  talent  of  constant,  daily  use.  The  mere 
scholar,  the  man  of  idle  speculation,  who  pursues 
his  researches  in  science  solely  for  the  purpose  of 
gratifying  his  taste  or  curiosity,  or  acquiring  fame, 
is  a  useless  drone  in  society.  It  should  always  be 
your  aim  to  improve  your  knowledge  for  some  valu- 
able purpose. 

To  men  of  education,  the  learned  professions 
open  the  fairest  and  largest  field  for  usefulness.  To 
figure  and  be  useful  in  either  of  them,  much  partic- 
ular knowledge  must  be  added  to  the  general  stock. 
When,  by  a  course  of  laborious  study,  you  have 
made  this  addition,  you  will  possess  a  gift  or  talent 


130  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

which  may  be  employed  to  great  advantage  for  the 
good  of  mankind. 

To  relieve  the  pains  and  heal  the  maladies  to 
which  our  frail  bodies  are  subject  is  an  important 
and  benevolent  office.  Our  compassionate  Saviour 
often  discharged  it ;  not,  indeed,  as  an  ordinary,  but 
as  an  almighty  physician.  He  did  not  deem  even 
the  hours  of  the  Sabbath  too  sacred  to  be  employed 
in  this  friendly  and  necessary  duty.  All  the  individ- 
ual happiness  consequent  upon  the  continuance  of 
life  and  the  enjoyment  of  health,  and  all  the  bene- 
fits thence  resulting  to  others,  may,  and  often  do,  de- 
pend, under  God,  upon  the  seasonable,  judicious, 
and  skilful  application  of  the  healing  art.  Let, 
then,  those  who  would,  in  this  way,  be  eminent  and 
useful,  diligently  seek  and  benevolently  improve  this 
gift. 

In  every  society  laws  are  necessary  to  regulate 
the  civil  conduct  of  individuals.  As  men  and  as 
Christians,  we  all  have  important  rights  which  we 
wish  to  enjoy,  and  which  duty  requires  us  to  protect 
and  defend.  Till  that  happy,  promised  period  shall 
arrive,  when  fraud  and  injustice,  theft  and  violence, 
adultery  and  murder,  with  every  other  species  of 
wickedness,  shall  cease,  our  property,  our  rights,  and 
our  lives  will  need  the  protection  of  wise  and  salu- 
tary laws,  executed  with  firmness  and  impartial  jus- 
tice. A  thorough  knowledge  of  these  laws,  in  the 
present  highly  improved  state  of  society,  has  be- 
come an  arduous  and  important  study.     To  under- 


KEV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,   D.  1).  131 

stand  them  in  their  true  spirit  and  principle,  explain 
them  clearly,  and  apply  them  with  precision  and 
justice,  constitutes  the  business  of  a  useful  and  nec- 
essary profession.  If  to  your  fund  of  general 
knowledge  you  add  the  hard-earned  treasures  of 
juridical  science,  you  will  have  a  gift  or  talent 
which,  if  used  with  honor  and  integrity,  will  pro- 
cure you  wealth  and  reputation,  and  be  of  essential 
service  to  your  fellow-men.  It  will,  also,  furnish  you 
with  still  greater  gifts,  and  fit  you  for  a  higher  sta- 
tion and  more  extensive  usefulness  in  the  depart- 
ments of  civil  life. 

But  the  gift  most  to  be  desired,  because  it  may 
be  applied  to  the  highest  and  noblest  purpose,  is  to 
be  exercised  in  another  profession.  Men  have  not 
only  temporal,  but  eternal  interests  to  be  advanced 
and  promoted  by  the  labors  of  the  learned,  the  vir- 
tuous, and  the  pious.  As  much  as  the  soul  in  na- 
tive dignity  and  worth  surpasses  the  body,  as 
much  as  eternity  exceeds  time  in  duration,  so  much 
do  the  interests  of  a  future  life  exceed  in  impor- 
tance those  of  the  present.  Our  pain  or  pleasure 
in  this  life  is,  at  most,  slight  and  momentary  ;  but,  in 
the  life  to  come,  one  or  the  other  will  be  exquisite 
and  endless.  God,  whose  all-comprehending  view 
takes  in  at  once  the  whole  of  our  existence,  with  all 
our  concerns  and  interests,  has  shown  us  by  his  con- 
duct, in  a  manner  more  convincing  and  impressive, 
if  possible,  than  the  strongest  declarations  in  his 
word,  the  importance  of  our  well-being  in  the  life 


132  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

to  come.  Though  he  has  not  been  unmindful  of 
our  present  felicity,  he  appears  unspeakably  more 
solicitous  about  our  future  welfare.  He  has  been, 
if  I  may  so  say,  at  infinite  trouble  and  expense  to 
rescue  us  from  misery,  and  procure  us  happiness  in 
the  coming  world.  We  are  redeemed,  not  by  cor- 
ruptible things,  as  silver  and  gold,  but  by  the  pre- 
cious blood  of  the  Son  of  God.  This  was  the  in- 
finite price  paid  for  our  salvation.  Had  all  the  an- 
gels in  heaven  died  for  us,  it  would  have  availed 
nothing.  Divine  justice  demanded  an  infinite  ran- 
som. The  death  of  the  great  Emmanuel  alone 
could  be  accepted  as  an  adequate  atonement  for  the 
guilt  of  fallen  man.  Such  was  the  evil  of  sin,  and 
such  the  worth  of  the  soul  in  the  view  of  omni- 
science !  Through  Christ's  atoning  blood,  pardon, 
peace,  and  eternal  life  are  tendered  to  guilty  men. 
The  divine  Saviour  himself  proclaimed  the  joyful 
news  of  this  great  salvation,  and  appointed  in  his 
church  an  order  of  men,  to  be  continued  in  every 
successive  age,  whose  business  it  is  to  publish  the 
same  glad  tidings.  They  are  his  ambassadors, 
commissioned  to  proclaim  the  terms  of  peace  and 
reconciliation  to  a  world  in  arms  against  him,  their 
rightful  Sovereign.  High  and  honorable  is  their  of- 
fice ;  solemn  and  interesting  are  the  duties  and  ser- 
vices it  requires.  These  ministers  of  the  Prince  of 
Peace  need  all  the  aids  of  human  learning,  as  well 
as  the  teachings  of  his  Spirit,  to  qualify  them  for 
their   important   trust.     All  who  desire   this   office 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  133 

should  earnestly  covet  these  gifts.  They  should  not 
be  novices,  lest  they  be  elevated  with  pride,  and  fall 
into  the  snare  of  the  tempter.  Their  divine  Master 
directs  them  "  to  be  wise  as  serpents,  though  harm- 
less as  doves."  They  must  be  able,  by  sound  doc- 
trine, to  stop  the  mouths  of  gainsayers,  to  instruct 
the  ignorant,  support  the  weak,  reclaim  the  errone- 
ous, console  the  afflicted,  raise  up  the  desponding, 
and  animate  the  drooping  Christian;  to  reprove, 
rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long-suffering,  meekness, 
and  wisdom.  To  do  all  this,  and  much  more, 
which  the  important  duties  of  their  sacred  office 
require,  is  a  task  too  arduous  for  any  man  who 
is  not  enlightened  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  aided  by 
his  grace,  and  assisted  by  all  the  helps  of  human 
learning.  In  no  other  business  or  calling  is  it  so 
necessary  that  a  man  should  be  a  scholar  as  well  as 
a  Christian.  Useful  knowledge,  then,  is  a  gift  of 
high  importance  to  the  minister  of  Christ.  He 
should  covet  and  seek  this  knowledge  earnestly,  as 
one  of  the  best  acquirable  gifts.  While  young,  es- 
pecially, he  should  spare  no  pains,  labor,  or  study  to 
possess  it,  and  should  make  it  the  business  and 
pleasure  of  his  life  to  employ  it  diligently,  with  all 
his  other  gifts,  in  promoting  the  divine  glory,  and 
the  immortal  interests  of  his  fellow-men;    I  proceed. 

Secondly,  to  suggest  some  motives  which  ought 
to  influence  you  to  the  diligent  pursuit  and  faithful 
improvement  of  these  gifts. 

Permit  me,  in  the  first  place,  to  suggest  as  a  mo- 

12 


134  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

tive,  your  own  interest  and  reputation.  In  the 
course  of  your  collegiate  life,  you  have  acquired  a 
considerable  stock  of  useful  knowledge.  This  is 
not  only  valuable  in  itself,  but  it  will  enable  you, 
with  greater  ease  and  expedition,  to  make  large  ad- 
ditions. It  is  a  broad  and  solid  foundation,  on 
which  a  noble  and  elegant  superstructure  may  be 
erected.  The  road  to  the  temple  of  Science  is  now 
open  before  you.  Most  of  the  obstructions  are  re- 
moved. You  have  progressed  in  it  a  considerable 
way.  Will  you  stop  here,  and  proceed  no  farther  in 
a  path  which  conducts  directly  to  honor  and  useful- 
ness ?  Would  this  be  reputable  ?  Would  it  com- 
port with  your  interests  ?  If  you  love  books,  you 
will  make  them  the  companions  of  all  your  leisure 
hours.  If  you  desire  knowledge,  you  will  seek  it 
as  silver,  and  search  for  it  as  for  hid  treasures.  You 
will  not  rest  satisfied  with  present  literary  attain- 
ments, but  labor,  as  you  have  leisure  and  opportuni- 
ty, to  acquire  more  knowledge,  and  to  become  emi- 
nent for  science.  To  this  both  interest  and  reputa- 
tion strongly  prompt  you,  as  they  do  also  to  a  diligent 
and  faithful  improvement  of  your  gifts,  whether 
natural  or  acquired.  By  these  you  hope  to  procure 
for  yourselves  the  supports,  comforts,  accommoda- 
tions, and,  perhaps,  elegancies  of  life.  By  a  right 
use  of  these,  you  may  merit  and  obtain  the  good 
opinion,  if  not  the  applause,  of  men. 

I  may  suggest,  as  a  second  motive,  the  just  and 
reasonable  expectation  of  your  friends.     Great  have 


REV.   EBENEZER    FITCH,  D.  D.  135 

been  their  care  and  solicitude  for  your  progress  in 
knowledge,  and  perseverance  in  a  course  of  virtuous 
conduct.  Your  parents  and  friends  have  been  at  no 
small  expense  to  give  you  the  advantages  of  a  col- 
legiate education.  They  have  raised  expectations 
of  finding  that  you  have  greatly  profited  by  these 
advantages,  that  you  will  do  honor  to  yourselves 
and  to  them,  and  be  blessings  and  ornaments  to  so- 
ciety. Can  you  bear  the  idea  of  disappointing  their 
well-founded  hopes  ?  Do  not  the  sentiments  of 
honor,  of  filial  affection,  duty  and  gratitude,  glow 
in  your  bosoms,  and  inspire  you  with  a  resolution  to 
be  and  to  do  all,  and  more,  if  possible,  than  they  ex- 
pect? This  is  the  best,  if  not  the  only  way,  in 
your  power  to  make  them  suitable  and  acceptable 
returns  for  all  their  care  and  anxiety,  expense  and 
trouble.  You  never  can  know,  till  you  are  parents 
yourselves,  the  feelings  of  a  parent's  heart.  His  so- 
licitude for  the  preservation,  improvement,  reputa- 
tion, temporal  prosperity,  and  eternal  welfare  of  his 
offspring  often  exceeds  your  conception.  Trem- 
blingly alive  to  everything  that  nearly  concerns 
them,  he  spares  no  pains,  he  grudges  no  expense, 
to  fit  them  to  be  useful,  respectable,  and  virtuous 
members  of  society.  Think  of  this,  my  young 
friends,  and  let  an  equal  solicitude  possess  your 
minds,  and  influence  you  to  everything  useful,  laud- 
able, and  virtuous. 

A  third  motive,  which  I  would  urge,  is  the  just 
claim  which  society  has  to  the  labors  and  services 


136  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

of.  men  of  education.  "  That  we  are  born,  not  for 
ourselves,  but  for  our  country,"  was  the  noble  sen- 
timent of  a  heathen.  Shall  not  Christians  think  as 
nobly?  Shall  the  man  rich  in  knowledge  hoard 
his  treasure  as  the  miser  does  his  gold  ?  Shame- 
ful selfishness !  What !  Have  stores  of  knowledge, 
which  cannot  be  diminished  by  communication  nor 
exhausted  by  distribution,  and  yet  not  communicate 
nor  distribute!  And  this,  too,  when  so  much  good 
may  be  done  ;  when  soi  many  may  be  made  wiser, 
and  better,  and  happier  by  the  means!  Forbid  it 
honor,  patriotism,  piety!  Talents  for  usefulness 
should  not  be  buried  in  a  napkin.  To  whom  much 
is  given,  of  them  much  is  required,  both  by  God  and 
their  country.  Countless  are  the  ways  in  which 
your  gifts  may  be  employed  for  the  public  good. 
Men  of  abilities,  science,  and  virtue  easily  acquire 
influence.  They  can  do  much  for  the  encourage- 
ment of  learning,  true  patriotism,  and  good  morals, 
which  are  all  highly  important,  as  they  are  necessa- 

j ^ry  to  the  support  of  social  order,  good  government, 

'  and  religion.  In  this  day,  especially,  of  general  and 
alarming  danger,  when  every  civil  and  religious  in- 
stitution is  threatened  with  ruin,  when  a  spirit  of 
vandalism,  hostile  to  rational  liberty,  and  to  every- 
thing dear  to  us  as  men  and  Christians,  has  already 
devastated  the  fairest  parts  of  Europe,  and  menaces 
the  civilized  world  with  universal  carnage,  rapine, 
and  desolation,  every  man  of  science,  every  friend 
/    to   virtue   and  his  country,  is  called   upon   to   exert 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  137 

every  nerve  to  stem  the  raging  torrent.  You  cannot 
innocently  remain  idle  spectators  of  the  awful  ca- 
tastrophe of  nations,  the  prostration  of  all  good 
government,  and  the  extirpation  of  morality  and  re- 
ligion from  the  earth.  All  this,  and  more,  appears 
evidently  to  be  comprised  in  the  infernal  plan  of  the 
combined  atheists  and  revolutionists  of  the  present 
day.  Witness  their  dark  conspiracies,  now  brought 
to  light,  their  daring,  persevering,  and  deadly  efforts, 
nay,  their  own  direct  and  positive  declarations. 
Stand,  then,  at  your  posts,  and  die  like  men,  rather  I 
than  suffer  that  liberty  for  which  our  fathers  bled, 
that  government  which  they  established  with  so 
much  wisdom,  and  that  religion  which  they  held 
dearer  than  life,  to  be  sacrificed  at  the  unhallowed 
shrine  of  atheism  and  French  philosophy.  Let  the 
sticklers  for  this  philosophy  deny  that  religion  and 
government  are  in  danger  from  a  combination  of 
men  desperate  in  wickedness,  and  prepared  for  every 
enormity.  With  the  same  modest  assurance  they 
may  deny  that  the  sun  enlightens  the  world.  Your 
information  is  such  that  their  confident  denial  can- 
not, in  the  least  degree,  shake  your  belief.  You 
know  that  the  world  is  now  in  possession  of  the 
fullest  evidence  of  this  unhappy  and  alarming  fact. 
You  know  that,  not  only  in  Europe,  but  in  our  own  , 
enlightened  country,  the  principles  of  deism,  athe-  / 
ism,  and  disorganizing  politics,  have,  of  late  years, 
made  rapid  strides.     Is  no  danger  to  be  apprehended 

from  such  principles  ?     Do  they  not  sap  the  pillars      i 
12*  ^ — 1 


138  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 


of  society  ?  Are  not  many  well-meaning  but  unin- 
formed persons,  by  the  wicked  arts  of  ambitious 
men,  drawn  into  the  vortex  of  these  principles,  and 
marshalled  on  the  side  of  opposition  to  the  wisest 
and  best  goverimient  on  the  globe?  While  you 
hold  the  vile  arts  of  such  deceivers  in  abhorrence, 
pity  even  the  willing  victims  of  their  sophistry  and 
falsehood.  Labor  to  enlighten,  undeceive,  and  con- 
vince them.  Obstinate  as  many  of  them  are  in 
their  prejudices  and  opinions,  possibly  truth  and 
reason  may  at  length  prevail,  and  triumph  over  their 
errors  and  delusion.  God,  in  his  kind  providence,  is 
now  opening  the  eyes  of  some  of  them.  He  appears, 
also,  to  be  turning  the  scale  against  the  enemies  of  re- 
ligion and  rational  liberty  in  Europe.  But  the  same 
abominable  and  ruinous  principles  are  likely  long  to 
ferment  in  the  bosom  of  society,  and  endanger  the 
existence  of  everything  dear  and  valuable  to  men 
and  to  Christians.  Great  care  and  circumspection, 
vigorous  and  unceasing  exertions,  will  still  be  re- 
quired of  the  friends  of  God  and  their  country,  to 
guard  against  the  fatal  tendency  of  these  principles, 
and  secure  mankind  from  their  pernicious  effects. 
Let  your  learning,  patriotism,  and  piety  be  employed 
for  this  important  and  benevolent  purpose. 

From  you,  young  gentlemen,  society  claims  many 
other  services.  Time  does  not  allow  me  to  enumer- 
ate them.  Most  of  them  your  own  reflections  will 
readily  suggest.  There  is,  however,  one  highly  im- 
portant kind  of  service,  which  a  sense  of  duty  for- 


KEY.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  139 

bids  me  to  omit.  This  extensive  and  growing 
country  is  at  present  in  great  need  of  religious  in- 
structors. Many  of  our  old  towns,  and  a  great 
number  of  our  new  settlements,  have  none  to  break 
to  them  the  bread  of  life.  A  plentiful  harvest  of 
souls  is  in  danger  of  being  lost  for  want  of  laborers. 
Does  not  the  cry  of  many  "  ready  to  perish  "  ring  in 
your  ears,  and  call  you  to  the  vineyard?  If  wealth 
and  fame  do  not  await  you,  in  this  sacred  employ- 
ment, the  blessings  of  perishing  immortals  will  come 
upon  you,  and  a  crown  of  glory  be  your  eternal  re- 
ward. How  important  is  it  to  the  civil  and  literary 
interest  of  society,  as  well  as  to  the  immortal  wel- 
fare of  the  souls  of  men,  that  all  should  have  the 
benefit  of  religious  instruction!  Ignorance,  immor- 
ality, and  impiety  will,  otherwise,  soon  prevail,  and 
envelop  our  land  in  the  darkness  of  heathenism. 
Our  wise  and  free  government  will  be  prostrated  in 
the  dust,  anarchy  will  succeed,  and  despotism  close 
the  tragic  scene.  Our  religion  —  the  pure  and  holy 
religion  of  the  gospel — will  be  exchanged  for  the 
dark,  chaotic  systems  of  infidelity,  or  the  gloomy 
horrors  of  annihilation  and  atheism.  But,  blessed 
be  God  !  we  entertain  better  hopes  respecting  our 
government  and  our  religion.  Jehovah  reigns  !  He 
will  defend  his  own  cause.  He  will  protect  his 
church.  Against  it  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  ulti- 
mately prevail.  We  have  many  favorable  tokens  of 
his  presence  and  protection  in  the  effusions  of  his 
Spirit  on  many  places,  in  the  continuance  of  wise 


140  REV.   EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

and  upright  men  to  be  our  rulers,  and  in  the  general 
superintendence  of  his  kind  providence  over  all  our 
national  concerns. 

I  will  suggest  but  one  motive  more,  and  that  is  of 
the  highest  moment,  and  ought  to  have  the  most 
persuasive  and  commanding  influence.  God  claims 
your  best  services.  They  are  justly  and  unalienably 
his  due.  All  your  powers  and  faculties,  your  talents 
and  opportunities  for  usefulness,  should  be  devoted 
to  him.  He  is  served,  his  glory  is  promoted,  when, 
with  upright  views,  you  labor  to  advance  the  hap- 
piness of  his  creatures.  Unprofitableness  is  inex- 
cusable and  criminal.  To  neglect  the  improvement 
of  the  talents  he  has  given  you  is  ingratitude  and 
disobedience.  Your  being,  your  powers,  your  ad- 
vantages for  education,  and  the  knowledge  you 
have  acquired,  are  all  his  gifts,  and  he  justly  requires 
that  you  employ  them  for  his  glory.  The  period  al- 
lotted you  for  active  usefulness  is  short,  but  the  con- 
sequences, to  yourselves  and  to  others,  of  improving 
or  neglecting  it,  will  run  through  eternity.  Let 
these  and  similar  considerations  animate  you  to 
diligence,  zeal,  and  faithfulness  in  the  discharge  of 
every  personal,  social,  and  religious  duty. 

I  am,  thirdly,  to  show  you  that  however  desirable 
and  worthy  of  pursuit  the  best  gifts  may  be,  there  is 
still  a  more  excellent  and  glorious  way.  This  is  the 
way  of  holiness,  which  leads  directly  and  certainly 
to  present  peace  and  future  happiness.  Talents 
without   piety,  gifts  without   grace,  will   not   profit 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  141 

you  at  last.  Splendid  abilities  may  dazzle  the  eyes 
of  men,  and  command  their  admiration  and  ap- 
plause. But  true  virtue  alone  can  procure  the 
divine  favor,  and  insure  the  rewards  of  a  better  life. 
This  alone  gives  real  worth  and  importance  to 
genius  and  erudition,  to  brilliant  talents  and  exten- 
sive knowledge.  What  do  wit,  genius,  and  learning 
now  avail  Hume  and  Bolingbroke,  Shaftesbury  and 
Voltaire  ?  Prostituted  as  these  talents  were  by 
them  to  the  infamous  cause  of  infidelity  and  vice, 
what  purpose  do  they  now  answer  but  as  flaming 
torches  to  light  them  to  the  lowest  pits  of  their  in- 
fernal prison,  and  show  them,  in  tenfold  horrors,  the 
regions  of  eternal  darkness  ?  What  would  they 
now  give  for  one  cheering  ray  of  that  heavenly  re- 
ligion which  they  hooted  and  despised?  —  for  one 
drop  of  His  atoning  blood,  whom,  with  the  rage 
and  malice  of  fiends,  they  so  often  reviled  and  blas- 
phemed ? 

You,  my  young  friends,  have  formed,  I  trust,  a 
more  just  estimate  of  the  worth  of  religion.  But 
its  real  value  cannot,  in  the  present  state,  be  fully 
told  or  conceived.  When  the  splendors  of  eternal  day 
shall  burst  upon  your  astonished  sight,  or  the  pit  of 
endless  despair  yawn  before  you,  then,  and  not  till 
then,  will  you  know  its  infinite  worth,  its  high  and 
everlasting  importance.  Enough,  however,  is  now 
known  to  convince  every  rational  man  that  to  pos- 
sess and  practise  it  is  his  highest  interest,  as  well  as 
his  indispensable  duty.     This  is  that  wisdom  which 


142  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 


is  "  the  principal  thing,"  both  for  present  enjoyment 
and  future  felicity.  All  her  ways  are  pleasantness, 
all  her  paths  are  peace,  and  her  rewards  are  glory, 
honor,  and  immortality.  Let,  then,  this  heavenly 
wisdom  be  your  companion  and  your  guide  through 
the  world,  upon  the  broad  theatre  of  which  you  are 
now  entering.  Act  well  the  various  parts  which 
Providence  may  assign  you.  As  you  will  leave  be- 
hind you  a  fair  reputation  for  laudable  progress  in 
science,  and  for  orderly  and  amiable  deportment, 
preserve  and  increase  this  reputation  by  future  dili- 
gence, usefulness,  and  virtue.  Think  often  on  what 
you  owe  to  yourselves  and  to  your  friends,  to  your 
country  and  your  God.  Labor  more  to  be  virtuous 
than  to  be  learned,  —  to  be  good  than  to  be  great. 
Value  less  the  applause  of  men  than  the  testimony 
of  a  good  conscience,  and  the  approbation  of  your 
Maker. 

We  commend  you  to  the  grace,  protection,  and 
blessing  of  Almighty  God.  May  he  direct  you  in 
all  your  ways,  improve  you  as  instruments  of  great 
good  to  men  and  glory  to  his  name,  make  you  bless- 
ings to  your  friends,  your  country,  and  the  world, 
and,  at  last,  crown  your  faithful  and  benevolent  ser- 
vices here  with  immortal  glory  and  felicity  in  the 
world  above.     Amen. 


A      SERMON 


DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  OF  BERKSHIRE 
AND  COLUMBIA,  AT  THEIR  ANNUAL  MEETING,  IN  HUDSON,  N. 
Y.,  SEPTEMBER  20,  1814.  BY  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.,  PRES- 
IDENT OF  WILLIAMS  COLLEGE. 

"  For  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to  the 
pulling  down  of  strong-holds."  —  2  Corinthuks,  x.  4. 


AUL  was  honored  by  God  as  the  founder  of 
the  Corinthian  Church.  Apollos,  Silvanus, 
Timotheus,  and  others,  labored  with  him  in 
watering  it,  and  building  itup  in  the  faith  and 
order  of  the  gospel.  Under  their  ministry 
it  soon  became  a  numerous  and  flourishing 
church.  But  false  teachers  crept  in,  and  en- 
deavored to  alienate  the  minds  of  the  brethren  from 
their  spiritual  fathers  and  teachers.  Their  wicked 
endeavors  were  so  far  successful  as  to  produce  very 
unhappy  contentions  and  divisions,  and  cause  Paul's 
claim  to  the  apostleship  to  be  called  in  question. 
They  reviled  him,  and  aifected  to  despise  him  for  his 
smallness  of  stature,  his  humble  appearance,  and 
unassuming  deportment.  "  His  bodily  presence," 
said  they,  "  is  weak,  and  his  speech  contemptible." 

(143) 


144  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

Some  years  before,  when,  in  the  presence  of  Felix 
and  Brasilia,  he  reasoned  of  righteousness,  temper- 
ance, and  judgment  to  come,  Felix  trembled.  And 
two  years  after  this,  when  he  made  his  very  able 
and  eloquent  defence  before  Festus  and  Agrippa, 
they  felt  and  acknowledged  the  power  of  his  elo- 
quence. Longinus  speaks  of  him  as  one  of  the  first 
orators  of  antiquity.  But  it  is  evident  that  when  he 
preached  at  Corinth  he  was  no  longer  distinguished 
as  an  orator.  The  ecstasy,  or  trance,  mentioned  in 
the  twelfth  chapter  of  this  epistle,  when  he  was 
caught  up  to  the  third  heaven,  and  heard  unspeaka- 
ble words,  might  have  so  affected  his  nerves  as  to 
injure  the  organs  of  speech,  and  produce  a  lasting 
impediment.  It  is  no  improbable  conjecture  that 
such  an  impediment  was  "  the  thorn  in  the  flesh,  the 
messenger  of  Satan  sent  to  buffet  him,  lest  he  should 
be  exalted  above  measure."  "  For  this  thing,"  said 
he,  "  I  besought  the  Lord  thrice,  that  it  might  de- 
part from  me.  And  he  said  unto  me,  '  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  thee  ;  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect 
in  weakness.' "  God  probably  intended  it  should 
fully  appear  that  the  vicious  and  idolatrous  Gen- 
tiles were  not  converted  by  the  conclusive  reasoning 
and  persuasive  eloquence  of  Paul,  but  by  the  power 
and  grace  of  his  Spirit.  That  this  was  the  fact,  Paul 
appeals  to  the  Corinthians  themselves  in  his  first 
epistle.  "  And  I,  brethren,  when  I  came  to  you, 
came  not  with  excellency  of  speech,  or  of  wisdom. 
And  I  was  with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  145 

in  much  trembling.  And  my  speech  and  my  preach- 
ing was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom, 
but  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power : 
that  your  faith  should  not  stand  in  the  wisdom  of 
men,  but  in  the  power  of  God."  The  same  senti- 
ment appears  in  the  words  chosen  for  our  text. 
"  The  weapons  of  our  warfare,"  saith  the  apostle, 
"are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God  to  the 
pulling  dowH  of  strong-holds." 

These  words  naturally  lead  us  to  consider  the  fol- 
lowing things :  — 

I.  The  means  employed  in  the  propagation  of 
the  gospel. 

II.  The  great  Agent  who  gives  efficacy  to  these 
means ;  and, 

III.  The  effects  produced. 

We  are  first  to  consider  the  means  employed  in 
the  propagation  of  the  gospel. 

When  Christ  was  about  to  enter  upon  his  public 
ministry,  he  sent  a  herald  before  him  to  prepare  the 
way.  .lohn  the  Baptist  came,  as  Isaiah  and  Mala- 
chi  had  foretold,  preaching  in  the  wilderness  of  Ju- 
dea,  and  saying,  "  Repent  ye ;  for  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  at  hand."  When  John's  short  ministry 
terminated  in  his  imprisonment  by  Herod,  Christ 
himself  appeared  as  a  public  teacher.  The  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  was  eminently  upon  him,  because  he 
had  anointed  him  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor, 
he  had  sent  him  to  heal  the  broken-hearted,  to 
preach  deliverance  to  the  captives,  and  recovery  of 

13 


146  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

sight  to  the  blind.  He,  indeed,  spake  as  never  man 
spake,  and  evinced  his  Messiahship  by  a  series  of 
the  most  benevolent  and  stupendous  miracles.  But 
when,  by  his  death  and  resurrection,  his  mediatorial 
work  on  earth  was  fully  accomplished,  to  whom  did 
he  commit  the  prosecution  of  his  great  design  of 
instructing,  reforming,  and  saving  an  ignorant,  apos- 
tate, perishing  world  of  sinners?  Did  he  commit 
this  immense  and  godlike  work  to  mighty  princes 
and  potentates  at  the  head  of  armies  and  nations  ; 
or  to  great,  wise,  and  learned  sages  and  philoso- 
phers? Such  a  measure  human  policy — the  wis- 
dom of  this  world  —  would  probably  have  dictated. 
But  the  divine  Saviour,  who  perfectly  knew  the 
hearts  of  men,  the  state  of  the  world,  and  the  work 
to  be  accomplished,  chose  very  different  instruments. 
During  his  public  ministry  he  selected  twelve  plain, 
illiterate  men  as  his  constant  attendants,  to  receive 
his  instructions,  imbibe  his  doctrines,  and  be  witness- 
es of  his  miracles.  To  these  men  he  committed 
the  work  of  publishing  his  gospel  through  the  world, 
—  of  instructing,  and  reclaiming  from  error,  prejudice, 
and  sin,  millions  of  Jews  and  Gentiles.  This  was 
their  commission :  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."  Was  ever  so 
arduous  a  task  assigned  to  men  ?  Did  God  ever 
require  any  of  his  creatures  to  perform  a  work  so  la- 
borious, so  difficult,  and,  to  human  strength,  so  im- 
possible ?  Yet  they  undertook  it,  and  accomplished 
it,  in  a  way  which  fully  accorded  with   the  purpose 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  147 

and  requirement  of  God.  And  by  what  means  did 
they  accomplish  it  ?  Certainly  not  by  human  pow- 
er or  policy.  Not  by  the  aid  of  eminent  natural 
abilities,  learning,  or  eloquence.  They  possessed 
none  of  these,  —  they  used  none  of  these.  They  were 
a  small,  feeble  band  of  plain,  unlettered  men.  They 
stood  alone,  unaided,  unbefriended  by  any  human 
power,  civil  or  ecclesiastical.  Nay,  all  the  world 
was  in  hostile  array  against  them.  The  Jewish  ru- 
lers, priests,  and  people,  aided  by  the  Roman  arm, 
had  just  crucified  their  Lord  and  Master.  All  the 
supposed  interests,  all  the  religious  and  political 
prejudices,  and  all  the  jealousies  and  passions  of 
that  disappointed  nation  united  in  rejecting  his 
claim  to  be  their  Messiah,  and  in  despising  and  per- 
secuting his  followers.  They  had,  therefore,  nothing 
but  ill-will,  contempt,  persecution,  and  death  to  ex- 
pect from  their  own  countrymen  if  they  adhered  to 
Christ's  cause,  and  endeavored  to  propagate  his 
religion.  Nor,  if  they  turned  from  the  Jews,  and  at- 
tempted to  carry  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the 
Gentiles,  was  their  prospect  of  safety  and  success, 
to  human  appearance,  less  gloomy  and  discourag- 
ing. Prejudices  equally  strange  and  numerous 
were  to  be  overcome,  difficulties  equally  formidable 
to  be  surmounted,  and  equal  if  not  greater  dangers 
to  their  persons  and  lives  to  be  apprehended.  To  en- 
counter all  this  host  of  difficulties  and  dangers,  and 
accomplish  the  great  object  of  their  mission,  what 
were  their  means  ?     What  was  their  defensive  ar- 


148  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

mor,  and  what  were  their  offensive  weapons  ?  The 
apostle  assures  us  they  were  not  carnal.  All  the 
powers  of  reason  and  eloquence  could  not  remove 
the  prejudices  of  one  Jew,  and  bring  him  cordially 
to  own  and  receive  the  despised  and  crucified  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  as  his  Messiah.  Nor  could  they  per- 
suade one  Gentile  to  abandon  his  idols  and  his  sins, 
believe  in  a  crucified  and  risen  Saviour,  and  worship 
the  only  true  God.  Yet  multitudes,  both  of  Jews 
and  Gentiles,  discarded  all  their  deep-rooted  preju- 
dices, laid  aside  their  hostility  to  Christ,  embraced 
the  self-denying  doctrines  of  his  gospel,  and  not 
only  became  his  humble  followers,  but  zealously  la- 
bored in  his  cause,  and  patiently  and  nobly  suffered 
for  his  sake.  How  was  all  this  effected?  By  what 
the  wise   men  of  this  world,  as  the  apostle  informs 

^us,  were  pleased  to  call,  the  foolishness  of  preaching. 
Paul  was  the  only  one  of  the  apostles  who,  as  far  as 
we  know,  possessed  any  considerable  share  of  learn- 
ing or  eloquence.  And  yet  he  informs  us  that  Christ 
sent  him  to  preach  the  gospel,  not  with  wisdom  of 
words,  not  with  plausible  reasonings,  rhetorical 
flourishes,  and  the  arts  of  Grecian  or  Roman  elo- 
quence ;  but  in  plain,  unadorned  language,  lest  the 

)  cross  of  Christ  should  be  made  of  no  effect.  With 
great  plainness  of  speech,  he  presented  the  impor- 
tant doctrines  and  duties  of  the  gospel  to  the  under- 
standing and  the  conscience.  His  message  to  man 
was  solemn  and  interesting,  and  he  was  aware  that 
no  decorations  of  oratory  could  give  such  energy  to 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  149 

his  doctrine,  and  bring  truth  so  powerfully  home  to 
the  conscience  and  the  heart,  as  to  produce  lasting 
and  saving  effects.  His  aim  and  his  practice  was, 
by  plain  and  faithful  preaching,  in  demonstration  of 
the  spirit  and  of  power,  to  commend  himself  to  every 
man's  reason  and  conscience,  in  the  sight  of  God. 
This  preaching  was  the  means  of  awakening  and 
saving  thousands.  The  stupid  and  thoughtless  were 
aroused  from  death-like  sleep  to  a  sense  of  their  aw- 
ful danger,  the  consciences  of  old  and  hardened  sin- 
ners were  appalled,  and  they  cried  out,  "  What  must 
we  do  to  be  saved?"  Trembling,  humbled  peni- 
tents were  comforted,  and  hope  divine  sprang  up  in 
their  despairing,  sinking  souls,  and  believers  were 
edified,  encouraged,  strengthened,  animated,  and 
made  to  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory.  The  means  employed  to  produce  these  hap- 
py effects  were  a  plain,  faithful,  solemn  exhibition 
of  evangelical  doctrine  and  duty  to  the  understand- 
ing and  consciences  of  men.  It  pleased  God, 
saith  the  apostle,  by  the  foolishness  of  preaching,  to 
save  them  that  believe.  This  is  the  appointed 
means ;  a  God  has  ever  honored  and  blest,  and 
will  continue  to  honor  and  bless,  the  means  which 
his  own  infinite  wisdom  appointed.  The  treasure 
of  the  gospel  is  committed  to  earthen  vessels,  —  to 
frail,  feeble,  perishable  instruments,  —  to  men  of  like 
passions  with  others,  conscious  of  many  defects  and 
imperfections ;  destitute  of  those  human  accom- 
plishments, great  talents,  learning,  and  eloquence, 

13* 


150  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

which  the  world  admires  ;  without  wealth,  authori- 
ty, or  powerful  friends;  exposed  to  all  the  infirmities 
and  temporal  evils  incident  to  men,  —  to  scorn,  deri- 
sion, and  abuse  from  the  wicked,  and  but  partially 
freed  from  the  Christian's  greatest  burden, —  the 
effects  of  indwelling  sin.  God  could  have  commis- 
sioned angels  to  proclaim  to  man  the  glorious  truths 
of  the  gospel.  Or  he  could  have  put  this  treasure 
into  more  splendid  vessels  by  sending  the  most  emi- 
nent and  admired,  the  most  wise,  learned,  and  elo- 
quent of  the  sons  of  men,  to  instruct  mankind  and 
carry  to  them  the  joyful  and  glorious  news  of  sal- 
vation through  the  atoning  blood  of  Immanuel. 
But  God  designed  that  the  honor  of  saving  sinners 
should  not  be  given  to  any  created  instruments  or 
:agents,  but  wholly  to  himself;  he  designed  that  the 
excellency  of  the  power  should  fully  appear  to  be 
of  God,  and  not  of  men. 

We  proceed  briefly  to  consider, 

II.  The  great  Agent  who  gives  efficacy  to  the 
appointed  means. 

We  have  seen,  my  brethren,  the  ancient  heresy  of 
Arius  and  the  more  modern  one  of  Socinus  revived 
in  Europe,  and  embraced  by  men  eminent  for  tal- 
ents and  erudition.  Not  a  few  of  the  professed 
friends  and  ministers  of  Christ  in  our  own  country 
have  fallen  into  these  fundamental  errors.  They 
have  been  left  to  believe  a  lie,  to  bring  in  damnable 
heresies,  even  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them, 
and,  there  is  great  reason  to  fear,  are  bringing  upon 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  151 


themselves  and  their  followers  swift  and  awful  de- 
struction. Denying  the  real  divinity  of  the  Son  of 
God,  they  are  led  to  call  in  question  every  essential 
doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and  obscure  its  whole  glory, 
by  the  thick  mists  of  dangerous  and  fatal  error. 
With  the  divinity  of  Christ,  they,  of  course,  deny 
the  personality  and  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  But, 
my  brethren,  I  trust  none  of  you  have  so  learned 
Christ ;  if  so  be  ye  have  heard  him,  and  have  been 
taught  by  him  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus.  You  be- 
lieve, as  the  Scriptures  plainly  and  abundantly  teach, 
that  fallen  men  are  so  thoroughly  depraved  as  to 
have  no  moral  goodness  remaining  in  their  hearts, 
no  principle  of  holy  obedience  and  true  benevo- 
lence, no  supreme  love  to  their  Maker,  or  cordial 
good-will  to  their  neighbor.  Nay,  you  believe,  as 
Scripture  asserts,  that  "  the  carnal  mind  is  enmity 
against  God;"  that  it  is  not  subject  —  that,  indeed, 
it  cannot  be  subject  —  to  the  divine  law.  You  see 
the  declarations  of  Scripture  fully  and  awfully  veri- 
fied in  the  condition  of  our  apostate  race  in  the 
present  age  and  in  all  past  ages.  You  behold,  in- 
deed, the  whole  world  lying  in  iniquity,  forgetting 
the  Lord  their  Maker,  casting  his  laws  behind  their 
backs,  and  trampling  his  authority  under  their  feet, 
saying  to  him  by  their  practice,  if  not  by  their 
words,  "  Depart  from  us ;  ive  desire  not  the  knowledge 
of  thy  waysr  The  natural  fruits  and  consequences 
of  this  universal  depravity  you  view  with  astonish- 
ment, in  the  total  ignorance  of  the  true    God,  the 


152  REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D. 

gross  superstition,  the  stupid  idolatry  and  polythe- 
ism, and  the  shocking  and  enormous  vices  of  the 
whole  heathen  world,  ancient  and  modern.  You 
behold  the  same  bitter  root  of  depravity  producing, 
in  abundance,  its  hateful  and  baneful  fruit  in  every 
civilized,  enlightened,  Christian  country  on  the 
globe.  Nay,  to  come  nearer  home,  you  feel  its  ex- 
istence, and  deplore  its  influence  and  effects  in  your 
own  hearts. 

Can  all  the  fine  moral  precepts  and  learned  dog- 
mas of  philosophy  reform  a  world  so  depraved  and 
desperately  wicked  ?  Can  even  the  most  lucid  and 
striking  exhibition  of  divine  truth,  the  zealous,  pa- 
thetic, and  powerful  preaching  of  the  word  of  life, 
unaccompanied  by  the  influence  of  the  Spirit  of 
God,  effect  this  great  object?  If  we  can  rely  on 
the  declarations  of  Scripture  and  the  testimony  of 
experience,  we  know  that  even  this  will  avail  noth- 
ing without  the  powerful  cooperating  energy  of  the 
blessed  Spirit.  It  is  his  important  office,  in  the 
economy  of  redemption,  to  enlighten  the  under- 
standing and  to  renew  and  sanctify  the  heart.  Nat- 
ural men  are  extremely  ignorant  about  spiritual 
things.  They  have  no  proper  knowledge  of  the 
real  character  of  God.  They  see  no  beauty  or 
glory  in  any  of  his  perfections.  Their  understand- 
ing is  darkened,  saith  the  apostle,  and  they  are 
alienated  from  the  life  of  God  through  the  igno- 
rance that  is  in  them,  because  of  the  blindness  of 
their  heart.     It  is  the  office  of  the   Spirit  to  dispel 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  153 

ignorance  and  darkness  from  such  benighted  minds. 
And  in  all  cases  of  saving  illumination,  that  God, 
who  commanded  the  light  to  shine  out  of  darkness, 
shines  in  their  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ.  Such  divinely-illuminated  souls  are  born 
of  the  Spirit.  They  are  renewed  in  knowledge  after 
the  image  of  God.  They  have  an  unction  from  the 
holy  One.  The  Spirit  has  begun  the  blessed  work  of 
sanctification  in  their  hearts.  And  he  assuredly  will 
carry  it  on  —  and  he  alone  can  carry  it  on  —  to 
the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

Need  I  take  up  your  time,  my  Christian  friends 
and  brethren,  in  adducing  passages  of  Scripture  in 
proof  of  a  doctrine  so  abundantly  taught  in  the  Bi- 
ble, and  I  trust  so  firmly  believed  by  us  all,  as  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  alone  gives  saving  efHcacy  to  the 
preaching  of  the  word,  and  to  all  the  other  ap- 
pointed means  of  grace  ?  Hear  only  the  assertion 
of  the  great  apostle  of  the  Gentiles :  "  /  have 
planted,  Apollos  watered,  but  God  gave  the  increase.''^ 
If  other  proofs  are  required,  they  may  easily  be 
found  in  declarations  and  examples  both  in  the 
Old  Testament  and  the  New.  I  will,  therefore,  de- 
tain you  no  longer  on  this  branch  of  our  subject, 
but  proceed  to  consider, — 

III.  The  effects  produced,  through  the  cooperat- 
ing agency  of  the  Spirit,  by  the  means  which  God 
appointed  for  the  spread  of  the  gospel. 

These  effects,  my  brethren,  have  been  truly  great 


154  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

and  glorious.  They  have  astonished  and  delighted 
the  friends  of  the  Redeemer  on  earth,  and  have  giv- 
en unspeakable  joy  to  the  angelic  choirs.  Among 
them  there  is  joy  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth. 
And  who  can  count  the  myriads  of  sinful  men  who, 
since  our  Saviour's  ascension,  have  repented  and 
gone  to  glory?  Soon  after  that  event,  the  Spirit, 
like  a  mighty,  rushing  wind,  descended  and  rested 
on  the  disciples.  And  they  were  all  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak  with  other  tongues 
as  the  Spirit  gave  them  utterance.  Immediately 
upon  this,  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  through  the 
powerful  influence  of  the  Spirit,  began  to  produce 
its  happy  and  glorious  effects  in  the  hearts  of  men. 
Three  thousand  were  that  day  converted,  five  thou- 
sand a  few  days  after ;  daily  additions  were  made 
to  their  number,  and  even  multitudes,  both  of  men 
and  women,  we  are  told,  flocked  to  the  Saviour,  and 
found  mercy  and  salvation.  From  Jerusalem,  this 
blessed  work  soon  spread  to  all  the  cities  and  vil- 
lages of  Judea,  Galilee,  and  Samaria,  and  then  to 
the  Gentiles.  During  the  lifetime  of  the  apostles, 
a  great  proportion  of  the  heathen  throughout  the 
vast  Roman  empire,  and  some  beyond  its  limits, 
heard  the  word  of  life  preached,  and  multitudes  of 
them  forsook  their  idols,  and  became  Christians. 
On  every  side  the  Redeemer  extended  and  multi- 
plied the  triumphs  of  his  cross,  till,  in  less  than  three 
centuries  from  his  ascension,  Christianity,  under 
Constantine  the  Great,  became  the  religion   of  the 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  155 

whole  Roman  empire.  The  heathen  idols  had  fall- 
en before  the  banner  of  the  cross,  their  temples 
were  closed  or  demolished,  their  magistrates  divested 
of  power,  and  their  oracles  silenced.  All  this  the 
apostles  and  their  followers  effected  by  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  accompanied  by  the  powerful  in- 
fluences of  the  Spirit  upon  the  hearts  and  con- 
sciences of  men.  So  fully  does  it  appear,  as  the 
apostle  asserts  in  our  text,  "  that  the  weapons 
of  our  warfare  were  not  carnal,  but  mig-hty  through 
God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong-holds."  Satan 
had  for  ages  been  erecting,  enlarging,  and  strength- 
ening his  strong-holds  through  the  world.  All  the 
heathen  nations  had,  for  more  than  twenty  centu- 
ries, "  acknowledged  his  sway."  This  "  prince  of  the 
power  of  the  air"  had  reigned  supreme  in  their 
hearts,  had  made  them  his  willing  captives,  and  led 
them  blindfold  at  his  pleasure,  by  millions  and  mil- 
lions, to  endless  ruin.  Except  the  Jews,  not  a  na- 
tion or  tribe  was  to  be  found  on  the  earth  that  had 
not,  from  time  immemorial,  been  the  blind,  zealous 
votaries  of  his  cause,  and  the  willing  slaves  of  his 
power.  We  read  in  St.  Luke  that  the  seventy, 
whom  Christ  had  sent  forth  to  preach,  returned 
again  with  joy,  saying,  "  Lord,  even  the  devils  are 
subject  unto  us  through  thy  name."  And  he  said  unto 
them,  "  I  beheld  Satan  as  lightning  fall  from  heav- 
en." Thus  did  he  fall,  when  his  usurped  dominion 
on  earth,  and  the  idolatrous  worship  he  had  estab- 
lished, were,  in  a  sudden  and  surprising  manner,  by 


156  REV.  EBBNEZER  FITCH,  D.  I>. 

the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  thrown  down  and  de- 
stroyed. 

Time  will  not  permit  me  to  trace  the  effects  which 
the  promulgation  of  the  gospel  produced,  in  differ- 
ent ages  and  countries,  from  Constantine  to  our 
day.  Gloomy,  indeed,  was  the  state  of  Christianity 
through  the  greatest  part  of  the  intervening  ages. 
While  the  man  of  sin  —  the  apostate  Bishop  and 
Church  of  Rome  —  held  their  usurped  dominion 
over  the  persons  and  consciences  of  men,  and  spread 
the  dark  cloud  of  their  superstition  and  idolatry 
over  the  western  Roman  empire,  a  few,  and  but  a 
few,  real  followers  of  the  Lamb  appeared  to  assert 
his  cause.  But  at  the  era  of  the  Reformation,  the 
Saviour  began  again  gloriously  to  triumph  over  the 
powers  of  darkness.  Converts  to  the  pure  doctrine 
and  practice  of  his  gospel,  from  the  dark  recesses 
of  Popish  bigotry  and  superstition,  were  multiplied, 
and  true  religion  again  shed  its  benign  influence  on 
the  hearts  of  individuals,  and  on  the  state  of  socie- 
ty. From  that  day  to  the  present,  notwithstanding 
the  prevalence  and  reign  of  infidelity  in  some  Chris- 
tian countries,  the  trophies  of  the  Redeemer  have 
been  numerous  and  increasing  ;  and  we  have  the 
strongest  reasons,  from  prophecy  and  the  intima- 
tions of  Providence,  to  hope  and  believe  that  they 
will  continue  to  increase,  till  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth  shall  flow  unto  Christ  and  be  saved. 

Having  this  hope,  my  brethren,  are  we  to  sit 
down,  in  a  state  of  ease  and  indolence,  to  see  the 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  157 


progress  of  the  Redeemer's  cause,  the  gradual  ex- 
tension of  his  kingdom  through  the  world?  God 
has  ever  employed  instruments,  human  agents,  his 
ministers  and  people,  to  carry  on  his  work,  and  by 
their  agency  he  ivill  continue  to  carry  it  on.  He  is 
indeed  perfectly  able  to  accomplish  all  his  purposes 
of  mercy  and  grace  to  men  without  the  intervention 
of  any  instruments,  means,  or  agents.  He  is  rich  in 
mercy  unto  all  that  call  upon  him.  And  he  has  as- 
sured us  that  "  Whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name 
of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved,"  But  "  how  shall  they 
call  on  him  in  whom  they  have  not  believed  ? 
and  how  shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they 
have  not  heard  ?  and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a 
preacher?"  As  the  preaching  of  the  word  is  the  ap- 
pointed means  to  bring  men  to  the  knowledge  of 
God  and  Jesus  Christ,  the  Saviour,  —  to  the  exercise 
of  faith  in  him,  and  salvation  through  his  blood,  — 
our  duty  is  plain.  If  we  wish  sinners  to  be  saved; 
we  must  send  the  gospel  to  them.  This,  my  breth- 
ren, is  the  very  object  for  which  we  have  associated. 
For  this  we  are  laboring,  for  this  we  are  receiving 
the  charities  of  God's  people,  that  we  may  hire 
faithful  laborers,  and  send  them  forth  into  the  vine- 
yard. And,  surely,  the  faithful  laborer  in  the  vine- 
yard of  God  is  worthy  of  his  hire.  The  Lord  hath 
ordained  that  they  who  preach  the  gospel  should 
live  of  the  gospel.  Missionaries  to  our  infant  set- 
tlements and  to  the  heathen  must  receive  aid  and 
support  from  us,  or  from  similar  societies  of  Chris- 

14 


158  REV.  EBBNEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

tians.  Many  such  societies  have,  within  a  few- 
years,  been  formed  in  our  country.  And,  blessed 
be  God,  he  is  opening  the  hearts  of  his  people  liber- 
ally to  contribute  of  their  abundance,  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  their  infinitely  important  and  benevo- 
lent designs.  I  call  their  designs  infinitely  important 
and  benevolent ;  and  are  they  not  indeed  so  ?  Who 
can  estimate  the  worth  of  one  soul?  Shall  we  weigh 
in  the  balance  against  it  the  treasures  of  this,  or  of 
ten  thousand  worlds  ?  The  endless  happiness  of 
one  immortal  creature  infinitely  outweighs  them  all. 
Think  of  the  millions  of  such  creatures,  now  in  our 
world,  who  are  in  the  most  imminent  danger  of  per- 
ishing for  lack  of  vision.  The  joyful  sound  of  par- 
don and  salvation  through  the  merits  of  a  bleeding 
Saviour  has  never  reached  them.  They  hardly  know 
that  there  is  a  God  to  be  worshipped,  or  a  soul  to 
be  saved.  If  they  acknowledge  and  worship  any 
god,  it  is  one  which  their  own  vain  imaginations 
have  conceived,  and  their  own  hands  have  formed,  — 
a  stock  or  a  stone.  They  sit  in  darkness  and  in  the 
shadow  of  death.  No  ray  of  gospel  light  has  ever 
darted  upon  them  from  the  Sun  of  righteousness. 
In  vain  is  it  to  them  that  a  Saviour  has  bled  for 
guilty  men,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  inspiration  has 
dictated  the  volume  of  eternal  truth,  in  which  life 
and  immortality  are  brought  to  light.  They  have 
never  heard  of  this  precious  volume.  They  have 
never  been  told  that  they  are  sinners,  and  need  a 
Saviour.      They    have    no    apprehension    of  what 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  159 

awaits  them  after  death.  If  they  attempt,  with 
prying  eyes,  to  look  into  the  world  beyond  the 
grave,  thick  mists  of  impenetrable  darkness  wholly 
obstruct  their  view.  Not  a  gleam  of  Christian  hope 
gilds  their  path  through  life,  or  points  them  to  a 
brighter  world.  And  when  death  removes  the  veil, 
what  astonishment,  despair,  and  horror  will  seize 
them!  View,  my  brethren,  their  present  unhappy 
state,  —  consider  for  a  moment  the  awful  and  end- 
less wretchedness  that  impends  them ;  and  if  a 
spark  of  Christian  compassion  and  benevolence  is 
alive  in  your  hearts,  you  will  not  only  pity  them 
and  pray  for  them,  but  lift  a  vigorous  arm  to  snatch 
them  from  eternal  ruin.  You  will  use  your  best 
and  most  strenuous  endeavors  to  send  heralds  of 
peace  and  salvation  to  them,  with  the  Word  of  Life 
in  their  hands.  Your  treasures  of  gold  and  silver 
will  be  opened,  and  you  will,  as  the  Lord  enables 
you,  cheerfully  cast  your  free-will  offering  into  his 
treasury,  that  his  ambassadors  of  peace  to  the  be- 
nighted and  perishing  nations  of  India,  Africa,  and 
the  Isles  may  be  refreshed  on  their  way,  and  sup- 
ported in  the  arduous  enterprise  of  carrying  to  them 
the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  and  entreating  them, 
in  Christ's  stead,  to  be  reconciled  to  God. 

Nor  will  you,  my  brethren,  overlook  the  thousands 
of  our  fellow-citizens  and  countrymen,  whose  con- 
dition is  scarcely  less  deplorable  than  that  of  the 
heathen.  Doubtless  many  of  my  hearers  have  seen 
the  report  of   the  two   young   gentlemen,   Messrs. 


1 60  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

Mills  and  Schermerhorn,  who,  in  1812,  "  were  em- 
ployed by  the  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  Mis- 
sionary Societies  to  make  a  tour  through  the  south- 
western parts  of  the  United  States,  not  only  to 
preach  as  missionaries,  but  to  gain  information  as  to 
the  state  of  religion  in  that  immense  tract  of  coun- 
try." Their  report  exhibits  a  melancholy  and  pain- 
ful view  of  the  state  of  religion  in  those  parts  of  our 
country  and  in  the  territories  adjacent.  Multitudes 
of  immortal  creatures  in  those  extensive  and  thinly- 
settled  regions  are  destitute  of  the  means  of  relig- 
ious instruction.  So  far  from  enjoying  the  stated 
ministration  of  the  word,  they  seldom,  if  ever,  hear 
a  sermon  from  an  itinerant  preacher  of  any  denom- 
ination. Nay,  many  of  them  have  never  seen  the 
Bible,  and  have  scarcely  heard  that  there  is  a 
Saviour.  Observing  no  Sabbath,  without  a  Bible 
to  read,  or  a  minister  to  instruct  them,  they  are  sink- 
ing fast  into  a  state  of  gross  ignorance  and  vice  ap- 
proaching to  heathenism.  It  is  estimated  that  not 
less  than  two  millions  within  the  United  States  and 
their  territories  are  in  this  deplorable  condition. 
They  are  perishing  by  thousands,  in  this  land  of 
vision,  for  want  of  Bibles  to  read  and  ministers  to 
preach  to  them  the  great  and  precious  truths  of  the 
gospel,  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  Do  not 
our  hearts  yearn  over  them  ?  They  are  our  coun- 
trymen, our  brethren,  our  fellow-mortals.  Their 
souls  are  as  precious  as  our  own.  If  our  own  sal- 
vation  is   of  infinite  importance,  so  also  is  theirs. 


REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D.  161 

Has  God  furnished  us  with  the  means  of  sending 
the  gospel  to  any  of  them;  let  us  hasten  to  discharge 
this  important  duty,  and,  at  the  same  time,  lift  up 
united  and  fervent  cries  to  his  throne,  that  he  will 
accompany  our  endeavors  with  his  blessing,  and 
make  the  preaching  of  his  word  effectual  to  the  sal- 
vation of  multitudes  ready  to  perish. 

Great,  my  brethren*  are  the  encouragements  pre- 
sented to  us  in  his  word  and  providence.  Prophe- 
cies in  abundance  foretell  the  enlargement  of  the 
church,  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  in  the  latter  days. 
In  these  days  we  live.  God  is  faithful ;  he  will  not 
suffer  one  iota  to  fail  of  all  the  great  and  glorious 
things  which  he  has  promised  to  his  church.  Christ 
must,  and  assuredly  will,  have  the  heathen  for  his 
inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  his  possession.  All  the  ends  of  the  earth  will 
look  unto  him  and  be  saved.  The  Jews  will  be 
again  gathered  into  their  own  land,  and  into  his 
church,  and  with  them  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles. 
He  will  accomplish  all  his  infinitely  benevolent  pur- 
poses of  mercy  and  grace  to  this  fallen  world,  in  his 
own  time,  and  by  his  own  appointed  means,  —  a 
preached  gospel.  He  can  and  will  make  his  word 
quick  and  powerful,  and  effectual  to  the  salvation  of 
thousands  and  millions  of  sinners.  He  can  clothe 
his  ministers  with  salvation,  enrich  them  with  all  the 
gifts  and  graces  of  his  Spirit,  make  sinners  tremble 
under  their  faithful  and  powerful  preaching,  and 
saints  shout  aloud  for  joy.    He  can  render  the  weap- 

14* 


162  REV.  EBENEZER   FITCH,  D.  D. 

ons  of  their  warfare,  with  which  his  Spirit  has  fur- 
nished them,  mighty  and  irresistible.  All  the  strong- 
holds of  sin  and  Satan  through  the  earth  shall,  in 
due  time,  fall  before  them.  All  kings  shall  serve 
him ;  all  nations  bow  at  his  feet  and  worship  him. 
Nothing  shall  be  left  to  hurt  or  annoy  in  all  his  holy 
mountain.  Peace  shall  come  to  Zion  as  a  river, 
and  righteousness  as  an  overflowing  stream.  Satan, 
for  a  thousand  years,  shall  be  bound  and  shut  up  in 
the  dark  prison  of  hell,  and  the  saints  possess  the 
kingdom,  under  the  peaceful  reign  of  Messiah,  their 
Prince. 

These,  my  brethren,  are  some  of  the  great  and 
glorious  things  foretold  of  Zion,  the  city  of  our 
God.  They  will  all  be  accomplished  in  the  millenni- 
um, which  is  certainly  near  at  hand.  Look,  in  the 
light  of  prophecy,  on  the  present  state  of  the  world 
and  the  church.  God  has  been  shaking  and  over- 
turning the  nations  in  a  manner  unusually  awful 
and  terrible.  Wars  and  desolations  have  prevailed, 
proud  tyrants  have  been  humbled  in  the  dust,  the 
power  and  influence  of  the  man  of  sin  reduced  to 
a  shadow,  and  the  waters  of  the  mystical  Euphrates 
in  a  great  measure  dried  up.  A  spirit  of  harmony 
pervades  all  denominations  of  Christians ;  their  zeal 
is  enkindled,  and  burns  with  increasing  ardor.  They 
are  uniting  their  efforts  to  extend  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  Already  have  their  endeavors  been 
crowned  with  very  encouraging  success  in  India, 
Africa,  and  other  heathen  countries.    The  Scriptures 


REV.  EBENEZER  FITCH,  D.  D.  1G3 

have  been  translated  into  many  languages,  and  sent 
to  nations  who  never  before  saw  the  Bible.  Nu- 
merous societies  for  this  purpose,  and  also  for  send- 
ing missionaries  to  the  heathen  nations  around  the 
globe,  have,  within  a  few  years,  been  formed  in 
Europe  and  America.  God,  who  excited  this  spirit 
of  harmony  and  zeal  in  the  breasts  of  Christians, 
and  prompted  them  to  these  measures,  is  giving  us 
the  strongest  intimations  that  he  is  about  to  usher 
in  the  glories  of  the  millennial  day.  Let  us  derive 
fresh  courage  and  resolution  from  these  intimations 
of  his  providence,  as  well  as  from  the  gracious  and 
highly  encouraging  promises  in  his  word.  The 
work,  my  brethren,  is  the  Lord's,  but  we  may  be 
willing  instruments  in  his  hands.  To  this  honor  let 
our  hearts  aspire.  And  to  him  be  all  the  praise  and 
the  glory  of  his  great  salvation  forever.     Amen. 


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